Algerian opposition leader Tahar Besbes has been badly injured during a pro-democracy rally when riot police clash with protesters in central Algiers.
Besbes was assaulted by police and his head was hit on the pavement during the demonstration on Saturday.
A spokesman for the Rally for Culture and Democracy party, Mohsen Belabbas, said Besbes is in coma, AFP reported.
Riot police and armored vehicles were dispatched and blockaded adjacent streets to the May 1 Square, as the demonstrators were chanting, "Algeria free and democratic," and "People want the fall of the regime."
Inspired by recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, thousands of pro-democracy protesters took to the streets in the capital last week despite the state of emergency law in place since 1992, PressTV reported.
They were confronted by approximately 30,000 riot police.
The protests are being organized by the National Coordination for Change and Democracy, a coalition composed of opposition groups including the Algerian human rights league and trade unions.
Protesters are demanding the government to lift the state of emergency and release prisoners arrested during last month's demonstrations. They are also protesting against unemployment, high food prices and corruption, demanding the immediate end of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime.
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