Yemeni police in the capital Sana Nov. 27 opened fire on thousands of opposition protesters, wounding 23, three critically, rally organizers said. The Interior Ministry said the troops only fired in the air to disperse the crowd, and warned in a statement that the opposition parties would be held responsible for “the consequences of their illegal acts.” The Yemeni journalists union also issued a statement saying troops used batons and weapon butts to beat seven reporters who were covering the rally. Dozens of protesters were arrested, while the Interior Ministry said two police were also injured.
Opposition groups are calling for a boycott of April parliamentary elections, contending that the results will be rigged in favor of the ruling General People’s Party by the election oversight body appointed by the president. (AP, DPA, Nov. 27)
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