Fears grow for hundreds of students arrested in Myanmar protests

Detained protesters are now thought to be in Insein prison, but have been unable to see lawyers or their families.

Yangon, Myanmar – Muhammed Salim’s friend is well-known at school for being a passionate football player and a strong public speaker. The 20-year-old often channelled his oratorical gifts into activism, even before the Myanmar military seized power on February 1. He organised events for causes as small as condemning government plans to cut trees on campus and as big as protesting against then-State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s decision to defend the military from allegations of genocide against the Rohingya. “He’s brave,” Salim said.