Last Updated: Friday, 19 May 2023, 07:24 GMT

Police stations attacked as unrest spreads in Maldives

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 8 February 2012
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Police stations attacked as unrest spreads in Maldives, 8 February 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f3bc76b5.html [accessed 20 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

February 08, 2012

Supporters of the former president of the Maldives have attacked some police stations and rioted in the streets of the capital, Male, to demand his reinstatement.

Former leader Mohamed Nasheed resigned on February 7 and later said he was forced out at gunpoint.

On February 8, the new interim president – former vice president Mohammed Waheed Hassan – denied claims there was a coup and called for calm.

Supporters of Nasheed reportedly seized up to 10 police stations on outlying islands. The Maldives, the smallest country in Asia with a population of around 400,000, is made up of nearly 1,200 coral islands, some with only a few hundred residents.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the Maldives each year to visit the nation's scenic sandy beaches.

Compiled from agency reports

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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