Male', Maldives, 6.00pm
The Civil Protest staged against President Nasheed and his corrupt government has heated up as police personnel in riot gear enter the civilian crowd in large numbers and began pushing the civilians around. The gathering has been peaceful so far, with the large mass of civilians listening to speeches by civic leaders and opposition leaders. The civilian gathering includes large numbers of women of all ages.
Police and military personnel dressed in riot gear have been gathering at the site since mid afternoon. Roads leading to the protest site were blocked and the military presence shown, in an effort to intimidate civilians streaming to the site.
Maldives police have earned a reputation for brutality against civilians during the short period of Nasheed's regime. The use of batons and riot shields against defenseless civilians and tear gas has been common in almost all civilian protests since Nasheed took power in November 2008.
The Civil Protest staged against President Nasheed and his corrupt government has heated up as police personnel in riot gear enter the civilian crowd in large numbers and began pushing the civilians around. The gathering has been peaceful so far, with the large mass of civilians listening to speeches by civic leaders and opposition leaders. The civilian gathering includes large numbers of women of all ages.
Police and military personnel dressed in riot gear have been gathering at the site since mid afternoon. Roads leading to the protest site were blocked and the military presence shown, in an effort to intimidate civilians streaming to the site.
Maldives police have earned a reputation for brutality against civilians during the short period of Nasheed's regime. The use of batons and riot shields against defenseless civilians and tear gas has been common in almost all civilian protests since Nasheed took power in November 2008.