Activists say arrests made at Myanmar anti-coup protest in Mandalay

At least 3 arrests were made in Myanmar after a protest on Thursday, February 4, in the second-biggest city Mandalay against this week’s coup, activist groups said.

The demonstration was the first such street protest against this week’s army takeover that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected administration. The arrests were confirmed by student activists from 3 groups, based in Mandalay and Yangon.

Video on Facebook showed around 20 people protesting outside Mandalay Medical University. One banner read “People protest against military coup”.

“Our arrested leaders, release now, release now,” the protesters chanted.

People burn a portrait of Army chief General Min Aung Hlaing as they protest against the military coup, in Mandalay, Myanmar February 3, 2021. Picture taken February 3, 2021.

Myanmar’s army seized power on Monday, February 1, overthrowing popular elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is detained and now faces possible charges for import infringements over the alleged possession of 6 unauthorized walkie-talkies.

Previous Myanmar juntas had a history of bloody suppression of street protests. – Rappler.com