YAREN – The Nauru government says many more people will be arrested over protests outside the country’s parliament.

Several hundred people took part in the protest on Tuesday calling on the government to resign over corruption allegations, a recent crackdown on free speech and the indefinite suspension of five opposition MPs from parliament.

One of the suspended MPs, Matthew Batsiua, was arrested during the protest and charged with disrupting the legislature. He has so far spent two nights in custody.

Batsuia was in court yesterday and the outcome has not yet been reported.

Nauru’s Justice Secretary Lionel Aingimea told The ABC’s Pacific Beat police were still investigating and many more people would be arrested and charged.

“Definitely riot, definitely unlawful assembly, definitely assault,” Aingimea said to the ABC by telephone, referring to possible types of charges that would be laid.

He said any public servants who took part in the protest would also lose their jobs.

Aingimea confirmed the government cancelled the passport of opposition MP Roland Kun as he was under police investigation. However, he did not say why was being investigated.

Kun was pulled off a flight bound for New Zealand via Australia on Wednesday and was told his passport had been cancelled.

Last week Kun – one of several opposition MPs suspended from parliament by the government – appeared on the ABC’s 7.30 programme to criticise a recent crackdown on free speech.

But Justice Secretary Aingimea denied the arrest was in response to Kun’s comments to the ABC.

“I don’t think so, I don’t think so. I’m waiting for the police report to come,” he said.

Kun is now separated from his wife and three children in New Zealand. His wife is forced to live in exile in Wellington as the Nauru government has denied her an entry visa.

Only one other protester, Lockley Denuga, was arrested on Wednesday morning without any charge but was later released.

“I was sitting outside the parliament, just watching the police. Three of the policemen came up to me and grabbed my phone and then they threw me into jail,” the local businessman said.

Denuga said he wanted the current government changed.

“We would like to clearly announce that this government is going into a dictatorship and we would like to get rid of it if possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Radio New Zealand has spoken to a former president of Nauru, who has been involved in anti government protests this week, who said, despite the threat of arrests, opposition MPs are waiting for a response to their demands.

Sprent Dabwido is one of five opposition MPs suspended by the current administration.

He says the protestors are now re-grouping but still want Justice Minister David Adeang and President Baron Waqa to step aside while there are allegations of corruption hanging over them.

This follows reports the Australian Federal Police are investigating a Queensland phosphate importer for allegedly making payments to the two politicians.

Dabwido says the duo are dragging down Nauru’s name and their stepping aside is one of two demands by the protestors.

“After the investigation has proved them guilty or innocent then they can either come back if they are innocent or then they face justice.

“The second is, the demand was to the Speaker of Parliament that he end the unconstitutional suspension of the five members and re-instate them.”