Police in Algeria have detained ten men who allegedly ate food during the fasting period of Ramadan.

They were arrested for eating in public in violation of the sanctity of Ramadan when found in a closed restaurant in the province of Bejaya, east of the capital Algiers.

Devout neighbors had complained to police of the alleged public desecration of the Islamic faith’s ban on eating during daylight in the holy month of August.

The men could face up to two years in prison if convicted.

A court which heard the charges on Monday has delayed its verdict until early November.

Human rights groups have already criticized the government for reacting to swiftly to public sentiment, saying the men did not commit any crime.

There is no law in Algeria prohibiting eating on Ramadan, where observing the daylight fast is usually seen as a personal matter.

While people are sometimes arrested for eating in public places, it rarely occurs in a closed restaurant.

Many large hotels in the country serve alcohol and meals during Ramadan.