Violence mars Malawi anti-police protests

A protest against the alleged rape and sexual assault of women by police officers has turned violent in Malawi, against the organisers' pleas.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital, Lilongwe, to demand the arrest and prosecution of police officers named in an official report by the Malawi Human Rights Commission as having raped and sexually assaulted women in Nsundwe, a town 35km (21 miles) west of Lilongwe.

Angry protesters reportedly threw stones at police officers, buildings and passing cars, smashing windscreens.

Small shops owned by foreign nationals, especially Burundians, were also targeted.