Scores arrested in Maldives seeking release of former president Nasheed

Male: Authorities in Maldives have arrested many people including opposition leaders following protest seeking release of jailed former president Mohamed Nasheed,media reported.

Many including policemen were injured in overnight anti-government demonstrations that turned violent.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said over 170 people had been detained by police since Friday night when an estimated 25,000 people took part in the protest march, the biggest since the jailing of Nasheed, Times of India reported.

Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically elected president of the Maldives, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of terrorism in March.

Nasheed, a respected human rights and environment campaigner, was elected president in the Maldives' first free polls after the end of 30-year autocratic rule of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008.

In February police dragged Mohamed Nasheed into court despite his protests that he would go willingly on his own.

The Indian Ocean atoll nation's image as an upmarket tourist destination has been dented due to almost daily protests in Male.

UN has also urged Maldives government to take action on flawed trial of former president Mohamed Nasheed.

OneIndia News