RAMALLAH, January 16 (JMCC) - A Palestinian human rights group criticized Palestinian security for beating a protester Saturday after his arrest at a demonstration against Palestinian negotiations with Israel.

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association said that 22-year-old Saif al-Driss was detained outside Ramallah's government headquarters at a demonstration. He was beaten by security officers upon his detention and taken to the nearby police headquarters and then Ramallah's intelligence headquarters for interrogation. Al-Driss was released two hours later.

The group called on Palestinian officials to investigate the incident, which it said was in contravention of the Palestinian Basic Laws guarantee of the right to assembly and other international human rights principles.

Several dozen protesters held placards in front of the Muqataa Saturday to protest Palestinian-Israeli meetings in Amman.