Military seize power in Myanmar detaining Aung San Suu Kyi – BBC News

The armed forces have seized power in Myanmar and detained the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically-elected figures.

Troops are patrolling the streets and a night-time curfew is in force along with a one-year state of emergency.

US President Joe Biden has raised the possibility of new sanctions.

The army alleges the recent election victory by Ms Suu Kyi’s party was undermined by fraud. She has urged her supporters to “protest against the coup”.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, was ruled by the military until 2011. After democratic reforms, Aung San Suu Kyi was in partial control with the military’s agreement.

After spending 15 years under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was hailed around the world as a symbol of democracy and awarded the Nobel Peace prize. However her leadership and reputation were damaged after she defended the army’s brutal treatment of Myanmar’s minority community of Rohingya Muslims.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Fergal Keane.

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