Myanmar army orders arrest of protest backers

The Myanmar army ordered the arrest of protest backers and have suspended the laws that prevent security forces from holding suspects without a court-approved order amid mass demonstrations that have engulfed the nation for days. 

Military General Min Aung Hlaing has suspended laws barring officials from searching private property and holding protesters in jail for more than 24 hours without a court order, according to a report from Reuters. 

After the laws were suspended, the general ordered those who have been protesting his rule to be arrested. There is no end date on the suspension and it is unclear if Hlaing will reverse the suspension anytime soon. 

The move by Hlaing comes as thousands of demonstrators have taken to the street to protest the military coup and detention of the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi, halting a steady transition to a democracy, according to the wire service. 

Thousands of protesters have gathered despite a ban on mass congregations, and the protests have become violent at some points as the military continues to clamp down on its rule over the country. 

The leaders of the coup are looking for seven people who have been criticizing their leadership on social media, and have said that anyone who aids them can be arrested as well, according to Reuters. 

The military coup has been condemned internationally by several countries, and President Biden has put sanctions on military officials, taking away more than $42 million in aid from the country’s government.