DOZENS of pro-opposition supporters have been injured and many were arrested after police in the Maldives broke up countrywide protests demanding the resignation of President Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the release of his political opponents from prison.

Thousands of people took part in the protests in the archipelago nation on Friday despite the country being under a state of emergency.

Several people were hospitalised with injuries and many protesters were arrested in the centre of Malé, but hospital and police officials have refused to provide numbers.

The injured included about 10 reporters who were covering the protest.

Police said in a statement on Saturday that the demonstrators had ignored warnings that the right to protest has been suspended under the state of emergency.

The popular tourist destination known for its clear and tranquil waters, many idyllic small islands and luxury resorts has been in the grips of political turmoil since President Yameen imposed a 15-day state of emergency on the country.

On February 1, the country’s Supreme Court ordered the release of several of Mr Yameen’s political opponents who had been imprisoned after trials that were criticised locally and internationally for an alleged violation of due process.

The prisoners include Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first president elected in a free election, who could have been Mr Yameen’s main rival in his re-election bid later this year.

Mr Yameen ordered the country’s chief justice and another Supreme Court judge arrested on allegations of bribery.

Mr Yameen’s half brother — the former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — was also arrested for conspiring to overthrow the government.

The Maldives, which consists of a chain of 26 atolls, is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed nations.

The archipelago adopted Islam in the 12th century but eventually became a British protectorate in 1887. After gaining independence in 1965, and struggling to make a transition from autocratic rule to democracy, the Maldives has experienced political upheaval, in addition to facing environmental challenges caused by climate change.

The Maldives had its first democratic election in 2008, however, Mr Yameen is believed to have reversed many of the country’s democratic civil liberties since being elected in 2013.

Regional heavyweights, China and India, are though to be vying for strategic dominance in the picturesque Indian Ocean nation, with some protesters accusing Mr Yamen of being a puppet for China.