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Pictures have been sent to the BBC from various sources of the recent riots in the Maldives. Some are too graphic for publication

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The riots began last Saturday after the death of two prisoners in clashes with security personnel in a jail in the capital, Male

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Crowds burned public buildings, including this Election Commission office, ransacked offices and overturned vehicles

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Four prisoners have so far died from injuries in the clashes. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has ordered an independent investigation

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Many Maldivians have e-mailed the BBC with views of the riots, some praising the government and others condemning its human rights abuses

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The Indian Ocean republic's police chief has been removed and 11 security personnel are in custody over the violence

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Citizens watch disturbances in Male. Opposition sources say hundreds of people have been detained

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An Amnesty International report blames repression of human rights for the riots, a charge the government strongly denies