Clashes between cops, oppn in Maldives

Male: Authorities in the Maldives arrested three opposition leaders and nearly 200 other people after clashes erupted between police and protesters demanding the resignation of the country's president and the release of a jailed ex-leader.

With the arrests, nearly the entire opposition leadership behind Friday’s anti-government protests were detained, opposition lawmaker Eva Abdulla said.

Police arrested Sheik Imran, leader of the Islamic conservative Adhaalath, or Justice Party, Ali Waheed, chairman of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, and Ameen Ibrahim, deputy leader of Jumhooree, or the Republican Party.

The arrests could exacerbate an acrimonious political climate in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation, which is still in its early years of democracy.

The Maldives government accused Imran of inciting violence among the protesters with the aim of overthrowing the government. The government, however, did not comment on the arrests of the other opposition leaders.

Thousands of people marched in the capital on Friday, accusing President Yameen Abdul Gayoom of jailing former President Mohamed Nasheed and others who he sees as political threats.

The opposition activists ran through a cordon of shield- carrying police protecting the military headquarters in Male and clashed with police officers.

Police fired tear gas and arrested 192 protesters. They later declared that the demonstration was not peaceful, saying they will break up any gathering without warning.

Police told reporters that Imran "incited violence amongst protesters with the aim of toppling the government and called for clashes with the police if necessary."

However, Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party said police officers charged the protesters without provocation.

The protesters also beat up two policemen who were flown to neighboring Sri Lanka for treatment.