Mass arrests in restive Maldives

Strap: Activists defy Emergency

Colombo, March 17

Maldivian authorities arrested more than 140 activists who defied a ban on rallies and demonstrated against a State of Emergency imposed by President Abdulla Yameen, the Opposition said today.

Thousands of supporters poured into the streets of the capital Male on Friday night and continued their protest rally till early Saturday, the Opposition said.

“Ignoring President Yameen’s edicts banning protests, and braving police and army pepper spray and tear gas, the protests swelled to thousands strong by the early hours of Saturday morning," the statement said.

It said 141 pro-democracy supporters were arrested following what it called the biggest anti-Yameen protest to rock the Maldives since “May Day 2015” when similar mass arrests were carried out.

Maldivian police confirmed the latest arrests and said 139 people, including 26 women were in their custody. The Opposition said three members of the Parliament were also among those arrested.

Yameen declared the Emergency in February, curtailing the powers of the judiciary and the legislature, after the country’s Supreme Court ruled to quash criminal convictions against high profile Opposition politicians. Later Yameen extended the State of Emergency by another month.

The Maldives Supreme Court has since revoked its order after two top judges were arrested, seemingly giving Yameen the upper hand in a bitter power struggle. —AFP