Jordan: 8 activists charged for slandering king

AMMAN, Jordan — A Jordanian prosecutor says eight pro-reform activists have been charged with opposing the regime, slandering the royal family and violating security.

The arrests reflected tight security in Jordan, scene of months of relatively low-key demonstrations to demand liberalization of the monarchy.

A state security court prosecutor says the men were arrested Saturday, a day after protests in Amman, the capital, and in the south.

The prosecutor spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters.

He said the protests turned violent after the activists chanted slogans against the regime and insulted King Abdullah II.

Last March, security forces arrested two dozen activists during anti-government protests, in which they allegedly chanted slogans against the royal family. The king pardoned them, and they were released in April.