A Seoul court has rejected arrest warrants sought by prosecutors against four civic activists who organized a series of candlelight vigils to protest the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun.

On Friday, the prosecution sought arrest warrants against the activists for violating laws banning protest rallies after sunset. The prosecution's move came after the organizers of the mass rallies defied an earlier summons to appear before the prosecution for questioning.

The activists said they would voluntarily turn themselves in to the police next week, but would hold go ahead with anti-impeachment rallies on Saturday as planned.

The Seoul District Court said it turned down the prosecution