Myanmar Security Forces Detain Prominent Anti-Coup Leader

Friends and colleagues said on Thursday that Wai Moe Naing, a 25-year-old Muslim, was arrested as he was setting off to lead a motorcycle rally in the central town of Monywa, about 700 km north of the main city of Yangon.

“Our brother Wai Moe Naing was arrested. His motorbike was hit by an unmarked police car,” media outlets quoted Win Zaw Khiang, a member of a protest organizing group, as saying.  

Some colleagues said they feared for Wai’s safety, who has emerged as one of the most high-profile leaders of opposition to the coup.

Some groups and activists said they were following his case and urged that all detainees be allowed proper health care and their human rights be respected.

Another protest leader, Tayzar San, vowed to keep up demonstrations despite the ongoing crackdown and detentions.

“We have to continue the fight by doubling our energy for Ko Wai Moe Naing, for the truth, for the present and future of the country.”

The town of Monywa has been one of main centers of the campaign with big rallies day after day and repeated crackdowns by security forces.

In the main city of Yangon, security forces detained Myo Aye, Director of the Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar, who has played a major role in organizing protests.

Earlier on Thursday, soldiers opened fire in the second largest city of Mandalay to disperse protesting medical workers. One man was killed and several others were wounded when security forces fired in a nearby neighborhood.

The Myanmarese military staged a coup on February 1, ousting the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and imprisoning her and other political leaders.