Maldives detains dozens in anti-gov't protests

[struggle4progress]

By Simon Gardner
REUTERS

9:28 a.m. August 15, 2005

COLOMBO – Maldives riot police have detained dozens of people after a series of anti-government protests demanding that President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom resign and call elections, officials said on Monday.

Police used teargas to disperse protesters who lobbed stones and flaming, petrol-soaked tennis balls at security personnel in the worst rash of violence to hit the idyllic island chain since mass protests seeking political reform a year ago.

They arrested 163 people on Sunday night, but have since released 76, acting government spokesman Mohamed Shareef said. Seven injured people were in hospital, but none was critical. <snip>

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050815-0928-maldives-protests.html