81 people go on trial in military court over March 24 demonstration

Eighty-one people went on trial in a military court on Monday charged with public order offences after a March 24 demonstration in the Jordanian capital ended in violent clashes, a court source announced.

They are all charged with "taking part in an illegal assembly", which carries a sentence of six months to three years' imprisonment, following the pro-democracy demonstration for constitutional reform which left one protestor dead and 160 injured.

Among the accused were 77 members of the "Youth of March 24" pro-reform movement which organized the peaceful protest and four from a loyalist group which attacked them over a period of two days.

The defendants will later face charges of "resisting the security forces" before a civilian criminal court. That charge carries a sentence of three to five years' imprisonment, the source added.

Last month, Jordan announced it was lifting restrictions on demonstrations and the law would be amended in parliament meaning prior permission for demonstrations would no longer be necessary, but the required royal decree has yet to be signed.