Maldives police on Sunday used tear gas and batons to break up a protest by opposition activists demanding President Mohammed Nasheed step down over the island nation's worsening economic plight. Opposition spokesman Mohammed Shareef said dozens of people were injured at the early morning clashes that erupted after crowds gathered in the capital, Male, on Saturday. "The demonstration was crushed brutally," Shareef told AFP by telephone. "At least 30 of our supporters were arrested including a parliamentarian, and scores of women supporters." Police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam said officers had used tear gas and batons in self-defence after coming under attack when trying to break up the protest. He added that some arrests had been made due to public property being damaged. Nasheed was elected president in the country's first multi-party election in 2008, ending Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's 30-years of one-party rule, but the country has recently struggled with soaring food prices and unemployment. The opposition movement is led by Gayoom's Dhivehi Raithunge Party, which accuses the government of wasteful spending and financial mismanagement. The Maldives, a nation of 1,200 islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, is famous as a luxury holiday destination but is also home to 330,000 Sunni Muslims, many of whom live in poverty.
GMT 15:34 2018 Friday ,14 December
Moscow remains ready for Putin-Trump meetingGMT 13:40 2018 Friday ,14 December
Britain and EU should prepare for second Brexit referendumGMT 11:43 2018 Friday ,14 December
Kosovo to build an army amid tensions with SerbiaGMT 11:52 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Britain's May to appeal to EU for help to salvage Brexit dealGMT 10:30 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
Huawei Executive Gets Bail In Case Rattling China TiesGMT 09:01 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
US marines missing after aircraft collision off Japan confirmed deadGMT 08:55 2018 Monday ,10 December
Top EU court to issue decision on reversal of BrexitGMT 08:37 2018 Monday ,10 December
Peruvians vote for anti-corruption reformsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor