The extremists, many of whom are regarded by some human rights groups as political prisoners in the north African kingdom, were mainly rounded up during investigations following attacks in Casablanca on May 16, 2003, in which 45 people died, including 12 suicide bombers.

A ministry statement said 97 people had ended their hunger strike of an initial 638 when it began, and denounced what the government called “exaggerated” reports that between 1,500 and 3,000 detainees are on hunger strike.

The figure of 541 was the first official tally of how many prisoners across the country were engaged in the movement.

The independent Moroccan Human Rights Association (AMDH), giving a rough estimate, has reported that more than 1,000 detainees have joined the unlimited hunger strike to demand release and retrials.

On May 16, a justice ministry official who asked not to be named told AFP that about 50 detainees in Oukacha prison near the northern port of Casablanca had ended their protest.

Justice ministry officials had meanwhile opened a “humanitarian dialogue” with representatives of inmates in 13 other jails, attended by a government human rights committee, the official added.