BAGHDAD — Thousands of people demonstrated in Baghdad Friday, in the latest of nearly two weeks of rallies criticizing Iraq’s premier and demanding the release of prisoners they say are wrongfully held.



Demonstrators gathered at the Abu Hanifa mosque, but were barred by security forces from leaving the compound to rally on the street.



The protesters held up banners calling for a mass prisoner release, stronger human rights provisions in Iraq’s prisons, and a repeal of current anti-terror legislation.



They have called for the release of prisoners they say were detained because of their Sunni background, and an end to the alleged misuse of anti-terror legislation by the Shiite-led authorities against their community.



“Baghdad, free, free! Iran, go away!” they shouted, a reference to their belief that premier Nouri Al-Maliki’s government is beholden to Iraq’s Shiite neighbor Iran.



“How much longer will our children stay in prisons for no other reason than being Sunni,” asked a man who gave his name as Abu Abdullah. Another protester who identified herself as Umm Mohammed said: “My three children were arrested four years ago for no reason and I ask Maliki – release them.”



The protests come amid a political deadlock between Maliki’s Shiite-led government and a secular Sunni-backed party that is in his cabinet but publicly opposes him. — AFP