Demonstrates for Ex-president's Release

Supporters have started a three-day long protest to demand the release of the 'former president and other jailed politicians and activists.

 Gathered at the Artificial Beach area in capital Male Friday evening. Opposition leaders had earlier announced that the protest would go on for 73 hours and 13 minutes.

 Even before the protest, authorities had warned that the demonstration would only be held till 12am every night and that protestors should at all times remain at the Artificial Beach area.

Speaking to reporters at the Artificial Beach area, MDP spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy told reporters  that a street march would be held Saturday evening. It is also part of the extended protest

Police broke up the mass opposition protest on Friday after thousands of protesters broke confinement and headed to the streets of the capital Male in defiance of the severe restrictions placed by authorities.

Immediately after protestors headed out of the Artificial Beach area, police had blocked off all roads leading away from the area.

After protestors clashed with police in riot gear, police asked protestors to leave the area immediately after declaring that the protest was no longer peaceful.

First, the police entered MDP’s camp opposite of the Artificial Beach area to cut power to the loud speakers and then pushed back protestors after taking control of the entire area.

After putting forward several demands to the government, protestors took to the streets despite a warning by home minister Umar Naseer that police would use force to stop demonstrators if necessary.

Reporters at the scene said police had used pepper spray to push back protestors.

source@ .haveeru.com