New arrests in Myanmar, as US moves to sanction coup leaders

US goes after Myanmar funds as it increases pressure on generals to relinquish power.

One of removed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s closest aides was detained overnight in a new wave of arrests following last week’s military coup, according to an official from her party, as US President Joe Biden announced new sanctions on the generals who seized power on February 1. Kyaw Tint Swe was the minister for the Office of the State Counsellor under Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained in the early hours of the coup and has not been seen since. National League for Democracy (NLD ) information committee member Dr Kyi Toe said Kyaw Tint Swe and four others had been taken from their homes. In a statement, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which is keeping track of arrests made since the coup, said Kyaw Tint Swe was among four senior officials picked up on the night of February 10. Nyi Pu, the chief minister of Rakhine State, was also among those detained.