At least 67 youths are in detention in The Gambia after police cracked down on protests against the recent increase in internet data charges by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

The arrests include 23 individuals detained last weekend for alleged unlawful assembly and 44 others apprehended Monday while showing solidarity with colleagues appearing before the Kanifing Magisterial Court.

Human rights groups and political institutions have condemned the arrests, describing them as an attack on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

They are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters as tensions continue to rise.