Maldives ruling party protest turns violent

A protest launched by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party turned violent Thursday afternoon after party activists clashed with supporters of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said local media. Legislators and activists of the Maldivian Democratic Party protested outside Gayoom's residence and clashed with his supporters, causing injury to a demonstrator and damage to some windows of houses. The local news source said the ruling party launched the protest as they believed that judges were unduly influenced by Gayoom in a court case on that day. Police said they were investigating the incident in which a 17 old young man was reported to be hurt by Gayoom's residence. Meanwhile in an interview with a local television Thursday evening, Gayoom condemned the protest and claimed the violence was organized by the government.