Jordanian lawyers are boycotting the kingdom’s State Security Court in protest against the arrest of activists who took part in ongoing demonstrations triggered by the end of bread subsidies on Jan. 27.

The Jordanian Bar Association said in a March 8 statement that the arrests are a violation of the freedom of expression and instructed lawyers not to appear before the military-led court until the protesters are released. Although the Bar Association could not confirm the number of arrested activists, an official at the government-funded National Center for Human Rights told Al-Monitor that five or six protesters are still detained.

Bar Association council member Anas Shatnawi told Al-Monitor that the association’s decision to boycott the court was made after talks to free the protesters failed.

The State Security Court has jurisdiction over crimes concerning Jordan’s security such as terrorism, espionage and treason. Its judges are appointed by the government and prosecutors are military officers. Human rights groups have raised concerns over the court’s lack of independence and unfair trials.