JUNTA FREES 600 DETAINEES

Streets of cities in Myanmar empty as activists call for nationwide Silent Strike

MYANMAR yesterday freed more than 600 coup detainees, including an Associated Press photographer arrested while covering rallies, following fresh outrage over brutal crackdowns on protesters.

The regime had unleashed a deadly wave of violence as it struggles to quell nationwide protests against the Feb 1 ouster and arrest of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The 75-year-old was due to have a court hearing in the capital Naypyidaw yesterday 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 video conferencing caused by a junta-imposed Internet shutdown.

In the commercial hub Yangon, AP photographer Thein Zaw, 32, who was arrested last month while covering a protest, was freed from Insein prison.

“I’m now on my way back home to meet my mum. I’m in good health,” he said. “The police officer who sued me withdrew his charge. That’s why they released me unconditionally.”

Thein Zaw had been charged with “spreading false news”, along with five other journalists who were arrested the same day. They are from Myanmar Now, Myanmar Photo Agency, 7Day News, Zee Kwet Online news and a freelancer.

It is unclear if their charges have been dropped as well.

Thein Zaw’s release came hours after more than 600 people held for protesting against the coup were freed from the same jail.

“We released 360 men and 268 women from Insein prison today (yesterday),” a senior prison official said on condition of anonymity, before Thein Zaw’s release.

Lawyer Khin Maung Myint, who was at Insein prison for two other clients’ hearing, said 16 busloads of people left the jail at 10am.

“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 anticoup movement — as people waiting outside the prison waved at them and returned the gesture.

Activists called for a nationwide Silent Strike yesterday and streets were bare in Yangon and Naypyidaw. In the southern city of Myeik, rows of dolls were set up along roads holding signs reading “We need democracy” and “We wish for Mother Suu to be healthy”.

There was chaos overnight in Mandalay, with barricades burning, arrests, homes raided by security forces, beatings and machine guns ringing out in multiple neighbourhoods, local media said.

Three people were killed on Tuesday, including 7-year-old girl Khin Myo Chit, who was shot dead at her home in Mandalay, said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a local group. 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,” Save the Children said.

Myanmar’s junta on Tuesday defended its seven-week crackdown, insisting it would not tolerate “anarchy”.

AAPP has verified 275 deaths since the coup, but warned that the toll could be higher and more than 2,800 had been detained.

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun put the death toll lower at 164, and branded the victims “violent terrorist people” at a Tuesday news conference in Naypyidaw.

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.