European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has called on Algerian authorities to refrain from violence, immediately release protesters and respect freedom of assembly.
"I call upon the Algerian authorities to refrain from violence and respect their citizens' right to peaceful demonstration. Any and all demonstrators arrested should be released immediately," Buzek said in a statement.
Over 400 protesters were arrested by police on Saturday at a mass rally in the capital, Algiers. The protesters, inspired by the recent anti-government demonstrations in Egypt, demanded the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has led the country since 1999.
Some 10,000 protesters gathered at the rally, calling to end corruption, lift the 19-year-old state of emergency and release protesters from jails. Some 28,000 police were deployed to prevent violence. Several people were injured.
Algeria saw similar rallies in January during which several people were held by police and 12 participants were hospitalized.
After that the president pledged to lift the state of emergency in the "very near future" and provide more political freedoms. However, the Algerian leader has so far failed to go ahead with the promised measures.
"The continuing state of emergency is unjustifiable and clearly hampers Algeria's prospects for the fair, peaceful and sustainable development of the country," Buzek said.
"Opposition groups, civil society, and especially young people should have the right to freely express their criticism of the government. No government can ignore the call of its people," he said.
BRUSSELS, February 13 (RIA Novosti)
