In Morocco’s northern mountains, crowds are demanding the release of the jailed head of an opposition group and other activists. They are furious about what they say is widespread corruption and unemployment.

From Al Jazeera:

Authorities in Morocco on Monday arrested the fugitive leader of a protest movement that has shaken the country’s northern Rif region for months. Nasser Zefzafi was arrested after a warrant was issued against him for allegedly interrupting a Friday prayer sermon at a mosque in the northern coastal city of Al-Hoceima and calling for further demonstrations, officials said.

The prosecutor of Al-Hoceima said Zefzafi was detained “along with other individuals” and transferred to Casablanca, without providing further details of the arrests. Prosecutors said the arrest was ordered after Zefzafi “obstructed, in the company of a group of individuals, freedom of worship” at the mosque in Al-Hoceima. He faces between six months and three years in prison on charges of insulting the Imam, making provocative speeches and sowing disturbances.