September 23, 2024
On September 19, four leading figures of a public protest against the military regime were arrested and tortured during interrogation, according to a statement released by the Yangon-based Anti-Junta Alliance Youth (AJAY).
The arrested individuals include prominent former university student leaders and activists: freelance photojournalist Zaw Lin Htut (aka Pho Thar), leader of the Youth Strike Committee (YSC) Aung Min Khine (aka Mae Gyi), YSC member Myat Myintzu, and former political prisoner Hnin Ei Khine. AJAY reported that all four have been held incommunicado since their arrest.
These protest leaders and other activists led a demonstration in Yangon calling for price reductions and opposing the military conscription law, which ended in their detention. The group reportedly lost contact with family and supporters following the arrest.
Zaw Lin Htut, Myat Myintzu, and Hnin Ei Khine were previously arrested for participating in protests against the military coup in 2021 and had been released from prison before being rearrested.
Protests against the junta, including demands for lower prices and opposition to conscription, continued in Yangon throughout August and September, with the most recent protest occurring on September 19.
