Protesters demand president step down

MALE (AP):

Maldivian police used tear gas and batons to break up a protest yesterday, demanding that President Mohamad Nasheed step down. Dozens of people were injured and many were arrested.

Thousands of protesters converged on the capital, Male, on Saturday night to rally against economic hardship, alleged government mismanagement and wasteful spending. Organisers said about 5,000 people demonstrated overnight.

Police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam said officers asked the protesters to leave, but they started throwing objects at the police. He said 10 people were arrested for damaging property.

Mohammed Shareef, a spokesman for the opposition Dhivehi Raithunge Party, said about 44 protesters were taken away by police, including two party lawmakers and leading activists.

There was no independent confirmation of how many remained in detention.

Shareef said the demonstration was organised to protest government inaction on rising unemployment and soaring prices of essential items caused by the devaluation of the currency.

He insisted the protest was peaceful until police used force, saying seven people were injured and one remained hospitalised.