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Palestinian police on Sunday said they arrested 24 people protesting the government's response to while in the custody of .

The demonstrators had planned to call for accountability in the death of , an outspoken critic of the who died in custody on 24 June��shortly after he was arrested. But police prevented Saturday's protest and arrested two dozen activists.

Police spokesman Louay Arzeigat issued a statement saying the demonstrators had not received a permit and “refused to sign the conditions for the gathering.” It did not elaborate.

Banat's family has said he was beaten as he was taken out of his home and has accused the Palestinian Authority of.

Palestinian officials have said the matter is under investigation.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers autonomous zones in the Israeli-occupied, is widely viewed as corrupt and authoritarian. A recent poll showed that support for President , who took power for what was supposed to be a four-year term in 2005, has plummeted.

Abbas has faced mounting pressure after calling off parliamentary elections when it appeared that his party would suffer a crushing defeat to��rival��group .

Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization, condemned the security services for blocking Saturday's demonstration and making the arrests.

It accused the government of “attacking the rights and freedoms guaranteed by law” and called for the immediate release of those who were arrested.