<p>Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has called for the immediate release of around 500 supporters arrested for allegedly burning down police stations and court houses, a party spokesman said Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to Xinhua, Nasheed's supporters were arrested during Wednesday's demonstration outside Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean atoll nation.<br /><br />Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman Imithiyaz Fahmy said most of the supporters were from the southernmost island, Addu.<br /><br />However, police spokesman Ahamed Shyam denied any arrests. <br /><br />Shyam said that only questioning was being carried out as part of investigations to identify those responsible for the burning down of 18 police stations and several court houses.<br /><br />Following a public demonstration led by Nasheed Wednesday, thousands of party supporters took to the streets of Male as well as on several other atolls.<br /><br />Addu, the second largest island in the Maldives, has a considerable following for Nasheed. Nasheed resigned Tuesday giving way to his vice-president Mohammed Waheed Hassan.</p>
<p>Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has called for the immediate release of around 500 supporters arrested for allegedly burning down police stations and court houses, a party spokesman said Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to Xinhua, Nasheed's supporters were arrested during Wednesday's demonstration outside Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean atoll nation.<br /><br />Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman Imithiyaz Fahmy said most of the supporters were from the southernmost island, Addu.<br /><br />However, police spokesman Ahamed Shyam denied any arrests. <br /><br />Shyam said that only questioning was being carried out as part of investigations to identify those responsible for the burning down of 18 police stations and several court houses.<br /><br />Following a public demonstration led by Nasheed Wednesday, thousands of party supporters took to the streets of Male as well as on several other atolls.<br /><br />Addu, the second largest island in the Maldives, has a considerable following for Nasheed. Nasheed resigned Tuesday giving way to his vice-president Mohammed Waheed Hassan.</p>