Myanmar Military Extends Aung San Suu Kyi Detention Until the 17th (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Myanmar's anti-coup protests on the 15th (local time) were engulfed in the tense atmosphere of the calm before the storm. The military is moving troops to major cities including Yangon, the center of the protests, northern Kachin State's Myitkyina, and western Rakhine State's Sittwe, signaling a strong crackdown.

According to local media such as Myanmar Now, on the morning of the day, anti-coup protests entered their tenth day near the Central Bank in downtown Yangon and near the Chinese and American embassies.

In the northern region, hundreds of university students were seen protesting in local videos. About 1,000 protesters gathered near the Central Bank shouted slogans such as "Stop Night Abductions" and "Release Aung San Suu Kyi."

Some held placards with English phrases such as "We Do Not Recognize the Coup" and "We Support Civil Disobedience" in front of and behind an armored vehicle parked nearby as they protested.

Local media reported that thousands of technicians also participated in protests in Mandalay, the second-largest city.

However, the size of the protests is reported to have decreased compared to last week. The concentration of armored vehicles and military troops seems to have instilled fear of bloodshed.

Local media captured images of armored vehicles and military troops deployed throughout Yangon city on the day. Armored vehicles and military trucks lined up along the road were also observed near the Central Bank protests.

Major foreign media reported that near Sule Pagoda, a downtown area where protests frequently occur, dozens of police trucks and four water cannon vehicles were deployed that morning.

In the capital Naypyidaw, about 20 high school students protesting against the coup on the roadside were reportedly arrested by police.

Meanwhile, the military government extended the detention period of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, which was scheduled to end on this day, by two days until the 17th.

The court conveyed the extension of the detention period to Suu Kyi via video call, and she reportedly asked whether she could hire a lawyer. Earlier, on the 3rd, the military government indicted Suu Kyi on charges of violating export-import laws for possessing and using walkie-talkies that were illegally imported without permission.

With the extension of Suu Kyi's detention period, the possibility of additional charges is anticipated, drawing attention to the protesters' reactions who have been calling for her release. The Associated Press reported that the decision to extend Suu Kyi's detention could further worsen the conflict between the protesters and the military.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.