YANGON – Myanmar freed more than 600 coup detainees from prison today, amid fresh outrage at the junta’s brutal crackdown on protesters.
The regime has unleashed a deadly wave of violence as it struggles to quell nationwide protests against the February 1 ouster and arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The 75-year-old Nobel laureate was due to have a court hearing today in the capital, Naypyidaw, on criminal charges that could see her permanently barred from political office.
But, her lawyer, Khin Maung Zaw, said the hearing was adjourned until April 1 because of problems with videoconferencing caused by a junta-imposed internet shutdown.
In the commercial hub here, more than 600 people held for protesting against the coup have been released.
“We released 360 men and 268 women from Insein prison today,” a senior prison official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Lawyer Khin Maung Myint, who was at the prison for the hearing of two other clients, said 16 busloads of people left the jail at 10am local time (0400 GMT).
“They were sent to related police stations to go back home... Some clients called me (after), informing me of their release.”
Local media showed images of the prisoners on the buses flashing the three-fingered salute – a sign of resistance for the anti-coup movement – as people waiting outside the prison waved at them and returned the gesture.
Activists called for a nationwide “Silent Strike” today, and the streets are bare in the capital and here.
In the southern city of Myeik, rows of dolls have been set up along the roads, holding up tiny signs reading “We need democracy” and “We wish for Mother Suu to be healthy”.
At least 20 children killed
There was chaos overnight in Mandalay, with barricades burning, arrests, homes raided by security forces, beatings, and machine guns ringing out over multiple neighbourhoods, reported local media.
Three people were killed yesterday, including 7-year-old girl Khin Myo Chit, who was shot dead at her home in Mandalay, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a local monitoring group.
AFP has yet to independently verify the death.
Aid group Save the Children and AAPP both said at least 20 people aged under 18 have been killed in the crackdown.
“We are horrified that children continue to be among the targets of these fatal attacks on peaceful protesters,” said Save the Children in a statement.
“The safety of children must be protected under all circumstances, and we once again call on security forces to end these deadly attacks against protesters immediately.”
The charity said it is also extremely worried about “hundreds of young people” being held in detention.
Myanmar’s junta yesterday defended its seven-week crackdown, insisting that it will not tolerate “anarchy”.
AAPP has verified 275 deaths since the coup, but warned that the toll could be higher, and that more than 2,800 people have been detained.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun put the death toll lower at 164, and branded the victims as “violent terrorist people” at a news conference in Naypyidaw yesterday.
Suu Kyi graft claims
Suu Kyi’s lawyer said this morning, there was a large police presence outside the court gates, and lawyers were not being allowed into the building.
Khin Maung Zaw said he has still been unable to speak to his client privately.
Suu Kyi faces several criminal charges, including for owning unlicensed walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions by staging a campaign event last year.
She is also being investigated for corruption allegations.
The military alleged that the detained chief minister of Yangon confessed to giving Suu Kyi US$600,000 (RM2.48 million) in cash, along with more than 11kg of gold worth US$680,000.
The junta has also been targeting the media.
Thein Zaw, an Associated Press photographer who has been charged with “spreading false news”, is also due for a second legal hearing at a court at Insein prison today.
If convicted, he faces up to three years’ jail.
He was arrested while covering a protest late last month alongside other reporters.
More than 40 journalists and photographers have been arrested since the coup last month, according to a local monitor. – AFP, March 24, 2021
