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Myanmar coup: crackdown on protests intensifies after military raids Aung San Suu Kyi’s party headquarters
- Two people have been critically injured, including a young woman shot in the head, after police used live rounds against protesters
- Demonstrators have called for the release of Suu Kyi, who has not been publicly seen since she and other top political leaders were detained
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Agence France-Pressein Yangon
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Myanmar’s biggest city for a fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, defying a ban on protests as the military moved to tighten its grip on the country.
Crowds swarmed through Yangon demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, facing down police a day after officers dispersed crowds elsewhere with tear gas and rubber bullets, and ramped up their harassment of the ousted leader’s party.
The sudden escalation of force against the demonstrations sweeping the country since last week’s coup prompted a fresh chorus of international condemnation after officers fired live rounds at one rally in the capital Naypyidaw.
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Two people were critically wounded in the incident – including one woman who was shot in the head. Images depicting her in the moments after she was shot were by Wednesday appearing on a huge protest banner and had been widely shared online alongside expressions of grief and fury.
02:28
Myanmar police officers switch sides and join demonstrators during anti-coup protests
Myanmar police officers switch sides and join demonstrators during anti-coup protests
“They can shoot a young woman but they can’t steal the hope and resolve of a determined people,” UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews said on Wednesday.
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