Protest erupts in Maldives over ex-president’s detention

THOUSANDS of supporters of former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed marched in the honeymoon islands’ tiny capital Male Friday to protest his detention on terror charges, which sparked international condemnation.

Although the rally was not scheduled to start until the evening, crowds began streaming onto Male from early Friday, fuelled by news that Nasheed had been given just three days to prepare his defence during his latest court appearance.

His lawyers also said Nasheed had been denied access to his defence team as he was brought before the court Thursday on charges which date back to his sacking of one of the islands’ top judges to the time he was president.

“Stop brutality,” said a placard carried by a Nasheed supporter wearing yellow, the colour of his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).