Protesters return in Myanmar after 18 killed by security forces

Crowds of anti-coup demonstrators marched through Myanmar’s largest city on Monday, one day after 18 people were reported dead in a confrontation with security forces.

The Associated Press reports that protesters in Yangon were chased by police as they attempted to gather at the Hledan Center intersection, a usual meeting spot for the demonstrators. Though they scattered and had been tear-gassed, they later regrouped, according to the outlet.

A United Nations human rights officer reported on Sunday that at least 18 people were dead and 30 wounded after police and military forces opened fire on demonstrators across various parts of Yangon. They reportedly began firing after stun grenades and tear gas failed to disperse the crowds.

Sunday’s killings were the highest single-day death toll since the coup on Feb. 1. After the deaths reported yesterday, the death toll related to the protests has now reached 21 people.

Protests have broken out across the country after a military coup removed the democratically elected government from power in Myanmar.

The army has brought several charges against Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s state counsellor before the coup. The AP notes that these charges are likely an effort by the army to create a legal reason for her detainment as well as prevent her from running for office again. The military junta has promised to hold an election in one year.

Suu Kyi appeared in court on Monday via videoconference an was charged with two more offenses, with one charge carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison.