MALE: The Maldives’ opposition yesterday 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Hamid Abdul Gaffoor said the party is within its legal rights to continue the protests because police have unilaterally withdrawn from agreed terms.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-Defence 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. They also cut off electricity to the campaign site.
Mr Gaffoor said that during an earlier discussion with the party, the police had agreed to allow a three-day protest as long as sound systems were not used after midnight. However, they withdrew their permission after the government interfered, he said.
Government officials could not be reached for comment.