Yemenis protest after huge fuel price hikes

Sanaa: Yemeni protesters closed off a major road in the capital Sanaa today and set car tyres on fire in protest against rising petrol and diesel prices, witnesses said.

The protests come following the government's decision to raise the price of petrol by 75 per cent and diesel by 90 per cent.

Witnesses said: "The protesters blocked the streets in the capital Sanaa and burnt tyres in protest against the increase in the price of oil derivatives."

According to witnesses, the protesters chanted slogans demanding the overthrow of the government which they accuse of not taking their difficult living conditions into account.

Two defendants, Anas Beltagy and Ahmad Turki, were acquitted but now face separate charges of possession.

The sources in the Yemeni Ministry of Oil said prices were increased this morning at the same time that security was strengthened in the capital Sanaa and a number of provincial capitals, in anticipation of the public reaction.

A source from the Yemen Petroleum Company told the Anadolu news agency: "Petrol prices were raised by 75 per cent and diesel by 90 per cent, petrol stations will sell at the new price, starting Wednesday [today]."

Angry protesters warned that the decision to increase prices on the third day of Eid Al-Fitr may lead to the "revolution of the hungry".

Price increase:
 Petrol:
Was: 125 Yemeni riyals ($0.58) per litre
Now: 200 Yemeni riyals ($0.93) per litre
Diesel:
 Was: 100 Yemeni riyals ($0.45) per litre
Now: 195 Yemeni riyals ($0.9) per litre