80 Indians charged in Kuala Lumpur

They are charged in court with talking part in a banned rally to demand equal rights in the Muslim-majority country.

At least 80 ethnic Indians were charged in court on Wednesday with talking part in a massive, banned rally to demand equal rights for minority Indians in the Muslim-majority country.

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The Indians, who were charged in at least five different courts, pleaded not guilty to "participating in an illegal assembly" on Sunday that drew some 10,000 people in downtown Kuala Lumpur, defense lawyers said.

Some were also charged with refusing to disperse and trying to hurt police officers. If convicted, they could be jailed between six months and five years, the lawyers said.