KUWAIT CITY // Police used teargas and stun grenades yesterday to disperse marchers in a protest against changes by the ruling family to Kuwait's electoral law, viewed by the opposition as favouring pro-government candidates.
The authorities had promised to "decisively confront" protesters to prevent the rally.
Activists said police had detained at least one Islamist former member of parliament and a journalist.
Organisers had expected the protest to be "the biggest procession in the history of Kuwait", and advised people to remain peaceful after a stern warning by the authorities to prevent any "illegal" demonstration.
The opposition took to the streets after the government, which is dominated by the ruling Al Sabah family, announced last week it was calling elections on December 1st and would change the electoral law "to preserve national unity".
Some of the protesters had gathered in groups of 400 to 500 people in various parts of the capital to march towards the government's headquarters. One witness said riot police had surrounded some of the groups and gave them a few minutes to disperse before firing the tear gas and stun grenades.
Another witness said police had surrounded a march of more than 2,000 demonstrators who were heading towards Kuwait Towers and attacked them with stun grenades, forcing many to flee to a nearby market.
Medics said some people had been hurt in the clashes but gave no figures. Ambulances could be seen giving first aid to casualties and taking them away.
Meanwhile, in the latest clampdown on opposition leaders and activists, the public prosecution service has issued an arrest warrant for Osama Al Munawer, a member of the scrapped 2012 parliament.
Mr Munawer joins three former opposition MPs who have been in detention since Thursday.
The prosecution yesterday extended their detention by 10 days, said Al Humaidi Al Subaie, one of their defence lawyers.
Four opposition activists arrested on Monday after clashes with riot police were also in custody.
* With additional reports from Agence France-Presse
