Outcry over crackdown in the Gambia as president refuses to quit

Amnesty attacks heavy-handed response to protests as Adama Barrow clings to power

Human rights groups have criticised authorities in the Gambia after police arrested 137 people, injured dozens and detained prominent journalists amid protests calling for the president to honour a pledge to step down after three years in office.

Adama Barrow came to power after the election in 2016, ending 22 years of brutal dictatorship by Yahya Jammeh and inspiring widespread hopes for reform.