Swaziland democracy protests: '50 arrested'
Police in Swaziland have arrested about 50 people ahead of protests against sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy, activists say.
Most of those detained were later freed and hundreds of people marched through Manzini, Swaziland's commercial centre.
Several South Africans trade unionists were prevented from taking part in the march and deported.
King Mswati III and his 13 wives are accused of living in luxury while most Swazis are poor.
The king is also criticised for having so many partners in a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection - 26% of those aged 15-49.
Human rights group Amnesty International has condemned the arrests.
"The arbitrary arrest of these political activists, lawyers, trade unionists and journalists is nothing short of police harassment and intimidation," the group said in a statement.
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Police spokeswoman Wendy Hleta said the foreigners were arrested because "we felt that they had no right to interfere" in Swazi affairs, reports the AP news agency.
A spokesman for the South Africa trade union federation, Cosatu, said two of those arrested had not been freed and their whereabouts were not known, according to the Reuters news agency.
Officials from the banned Peoples United Democratic Movement of Swaziland (Pudemo) were also reportedly detained, including its leader Mario Masuku.
The US-funded pro-democracy group, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), says two of its members were among those detained.
"It is time that the world understood what kind of regime runs Swaziland. It is a regime that has no respect for human rights, no respect for the rule of law and no respect for democracy," said OSISA head Sisonke Msimang.
King Mswati III has been criticised for having thirteen wives.
Around 50 people have been arrested ahead of a planned human rights protest in Swaziland. The protest had been planned against the monarchy of Swaziland to call attention to the country's alleged lack of human rights. Many of those arrested have been released but several people remain in custody.

The King of Swaziland, Mswati III, has come under pressure for living in luxury with his thirteen wives while many Swazi people are on the poverty line. He has also faced criticism for having a high number of sexual partners, when 26% of 15 to 49 year olds are HIV positive.

Several South African trade unionists were included in the protesters arrested.  A spokesman for , the South African trade union federation, said that two of the unionists had not been released and their current whereabouts are unknown.

Human rights group Amnesty International has commented on the events saying that, "The arbitrary arrest of these political activists, lawyers, trade unionists and journalists is nothing short of police harassment and intimidation."

Swaziland is the last country in Africa to hold an .