Nine opposition leaders and activists have been arrested in Sudan, a group of civil society groups said, the move took place ahead of the expected anti-government protests foreseen after weekly Muslim prayers.

The head of the media office at the National Intelligence and Security Service denied any involvement.

Sudan has been caught in turmoil of more than a week of anti-government protests sparked by degrading living conditions, rising prices, shortages of basic commodities and a cash crisis.

At least 19 people died during the protests, including two military personnel, however till present the exact number of victims is unknown. However, Amnesty international claimed 37 people already lost their lives, and toll of casualties of clashes between protesters, and military is continuing to rise.

A committee of groups of professionals involved in the protests said in a statement that authorities had raided a meeting of opposition leaders in Khartoum. They detained a total of nine people, including Siddiq Youssef, a prominent member of Sudan’s Communist Party, along with the leaders from the pan-Arab Ba’ath and Nasserist parties, the statement said.

The raid followed after calls for continuation of protests after the weekly noon prayers on Friday, December 28.