Niger: Authorities arrest leaders of price hike protests

Authorities in Niger have arrested three leaders of a group that has been protesting about a tax on basic foods stuffs on the grounds that they were plotting against the state, a government spokesman said on Friday. Spokesman Ben Omar told IRIN that the three men were picked up after going on private radio and television channels and urging Muslin and Christian leaders to hold prayers on Friday and over the Easter weekend to save the country from misery.