One of the Leaders of Myanmar Anti-Coup Street Protests Arrested by Military Junta

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] One of the three young leaders who led the anti-coup street protests in Myanmar was arrested by the military on the 15th.

According to CNA and others, Wei Mo Naing (26), who led the anti-military protests in Monywa, Sagaing region, was detained by the police that afternoon. Wei Mo Naing is a prominent young protest leader in Myanmar, along with Taiza San from Mandalay and It Tinza Maung from Yangon.

His colleague revealed on Facebook that armed individuals in a civilian vehicle deliberately collided with the motorcycle Wei Mo Naing was riding, then dragged him and a woman away. A video described as footage of the arrest is spreading on social media. The video shows a motorcycle protest procession shouting "(The revolution) will win" when a car coming from the opposite direction suddenly swerves toward the procession and collides with it.

Following the news of the arrest, Taiza San wrote on Facebook, "For Wei Mo Naing, for the truth, and for Myanmar’s present and future, we must double our strength and continue the struggle."

Earlier that day in Mandalay, foreign media reported that the military and police fired guns while dispersing street protests by healthcare workers, resulting in one death and several injuries. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Myanmar human rights group, 715 people had been confirmed dead as of the previous day.