Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Activists in the southern governorate of Ma'an on Friday protested the government's economic policies, warning that such policies, including electricity price hikes, are "leading the country towards the unknown."

The Coalition of Youth for Reform and Change in Ma'an demonstrated in front of the Grand Ma'an Mosque following Friday midday prayers and called on the government to release detained reform activists.

The protesters blasted what they described as "random arrests" that took place recently in the southern governorate, some 220 kilometers south of the capital Amman, and "excessive use of force" that led to the death of one Ma'an resident last week.

Activists stressed that they stand against vandalism and violent riots, but blasted security forces' for treating Ma'an residents "unjustly," according to their expression.

Ma'an had witnessed sporadic acts of violence and riots in the past two months, particularly after the Al Hussein bin Talal university violence in late April, that left four dead and dozens wounded.

Ma'an activists on Friday described the recent events in the southern town as a "conspiracy to spread strife between tribes," and called on residents to confront attempts to sow divisions and strike national unity and the social fabric of Jordanian society.

"The dignity of citizens is a red line," protesters chanted.

The activists also blasted the government's decision to raise electricity prices, and called on King Abdullah to sack both the government and the elected Lower House of Parliament.

Rights' activist Akram Kreishan said during the protest that "raising electricity prices will harm a wide range of economic sectors in Jordan, and intends to further impoverish Jordanians."

Kreishan added that the government is attempting to restrict freedom of expression and freedom of the press through the controversial Press and Publications Law, which recently went into effect with the government blocking nearly 300 news websites for not being registered and licensed with the Press and Publications Department.