Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xxpy2osgakvibnk/VRP14229.mp4?dl=0
Footage shows armed riot police arresting protesters at gunpoint in Yangon, Myanmar, today (Feb 27).
Armed officers stormed into the Ocean Plaza in Tamwe township as crowds sheltered there shortly after midday. Several people were dragged out of the building and beaten before being lead away.
The violent scenes came almost a month after the military ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyo and seized power with a brutal coup. The Nobel Peace Prize Laurette has not been seen or heard from since amid fears she is being forcibly detained along with other civilian politicians from the elected administration.
On Thursday there were clashes between pro-military supporters and protesters, with one man being stabbed.
The death toll from the protests is unclear – with some suggestions it could be as high as 20. Human rights groups have expressed growing concern over the situation.
International pressure on Myanmar, still also known as Burma, with the U.S. government warning of sanctions on the country.
Burma was governed by Britain from 1824 to 1948, during which time it became the second-wealthiest country in Southeast Asia but following independence was ruled by the military until 2011 when democratic reforms began. It also changed its name to Myanmar.