Arrests after Myanmar anti-coup protest

Police in Myanmar made a number of arrests on Saturday as protesters again took to the streets of the biggest city Yangon, keeping up visible opposition to the coup that overthrew the elected civilian government almost five months ago.

Security forces arrived just as the flash mob dispersed after a brief demonstration during which they carried banners, flares and lit torches.

Despite the risk of violence and arrest, protesters have continued to play a cat-and-mouse game with police, staging flash mob demonstrations denouncing the coup and vanishing into side streets shortly afterwards.

According to the independent group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 881 people have been killed by security forces since the February 1 takeover, with a total of 6,370 arrested.

The military authorities' own tally is much lower.

IMAGE: AP