Maldives oppn set to regroup for 2nd night of protests

AP, Colombo: The Maldives’ opposition on Saturday vowed to regroup for a second  night of demonstrations hours after police broke up a planned 72-hour protest demanding the release of the country’s ex-president and other political leaders.
Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman Hamid Abdul Gaffoor said the party is within its legal rights to continue the protests because police have unilaterally withdrawn from agreed terms.
The party is demanding the release from jail of former President Mohamed Nasheed, ex-Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim and opposition leader Sheik Imran Abdulla, as well as the withdrawal of court action against 1,700 political activists.
It says the actions against the leaders and activists are the result of a political vendetta by the current president, Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Police used shields and pepper spray to break up Friday night’s protests as the demonstrators prepared for a street march.

 

Maldives oppn set to regroup for 2nd night of protests

AP, Colombo: The Maldives opposition on Saturday vowed to regroup for a second night of demonstrations hours after police broke up a planned 72-hour protest demanding the release of the countrys ex-president and other political leaders. Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman Hamid Abdul Gaffoor said the party is within its legal rights to continue the protests because police have unilaterally withdrawn from agreed terms. The party is demanding the release from jail of former President Mohamed Nasheed, ex-Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim and opposition leader Sheik Imran Abdulla, as well as the withdrawal of court action against 1,700 political activists. It says the actions against the leaders and activists are the result of a political vendetta by the current president, Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Police used shields and pepper spray to break up Friday nights protests as the demonstrators prepared for a street march.