Maldives declares state of emergency

The Maldives government declared a state of emergency today after security officials used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who rallied in a rare show of dissent.

State radio announced the declaration, saying fundamental rights of citizens were suspended, and people would not be allowed to gather, demonstrate or express views critical of the government.

Earlier, pro-democracy protesters had gathered outside police headquarters in the capital, Male, to protest at the detention of four people. Worried that a stand-off might develop, police later released the four.

But the National Security Service used tear gas and rounded up several demonstrators when the crowd, which swelled to an estimated 3,000, refused to leave, witnesses said.

The protest was a rare event in a country where political dissent is not tolerated.

Political parties are banned in Maldives, a nation of 278,000 people on 1,192 coral islands, about 300 miles off the coast of India.

A Commonwealth member, the Maldives gained independence from Britain in 1965 after being a protectorate since 1887. Tourism is one of its main sources of income.