Over 200 hundred detained over riots [Archives:2008/1145/Local News]

By: Saddam Al-Ashmori
For Yemen Times
SANA'A, April 8 ) Yemeni forces last Tuesday prevented hundreds of people from gathering in Al-Hurriyyah Square, near the Cabinet, during a sit-in to protest the detention campaign by the government following riots that began in some southern provinces two weeks ago. In spite of the extensive security and military presence surrounding the area to prevent protesters from reaching Al-Hurriyyah square, hundreds of journalists, Parliament members and human rights activists were able to carry out the sit-in near the Ministry of Information.

Protestors raised slogans demanding that the government release its 'political detainees'. During the sit-in a number of satiric songs were performed by Fahd Al-Qarni's band in support of the detainees and the 'peaceful struggle'.

The National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms, known as Hood, said it was informed that the number of detainees are over 200, with 98 in Al-Dhale', 12 in Taiz, 55 in Aden and 60 in Hadramout. It added that although Lahj and Abyan provinces witnessed demonstrations last week, no detainees were reported.

Previous demonstrations broke out two weeks ago in Al-Dhale' by a number of youths soon after the government refused to enlist them in the army.

The demonstrations turned to riots in Abyan, Al-Dhale' Lahj and Taiz governorates, resulting in a large detention campaign launched by security forces.

The protestors in the Sana'a sit-in issued a press release condemning the government campaign.” Detention campaigns carried out by the government in a number of Yemeni provinces against political activists who organized the peaceful protest