Pro-Bashir rally as Sudan says 800 protesters arrested

Crowds of supporters of the Sudanese President wave sticks as they gather in Sudan's easten city of Kassala.

More than 800 protesters have been arrested in anti-government demonstrations held across Sudan since last month, a minister said on Monday, as hundreds gathered at a rally backing President Omar al-Bashir.

Deadly protests have rocked Sudan since December 19, when unrest first broke out over a government decision to raise the price of bread.

Authorities say at least 19 people including two security personnel have been killed in clashes during the demonstrations, but rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 37.


Interior Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman on Monday gave details to parliament of arrests made during the protests and violence that marked several rallies.

"The total number of protesters arrested until now is 816," Osman said.

The figure was the first given by officials for those detained since the rallies erupted initially in towns and villages and later spread to the capital Khartoum.