(CNN) – Myanmar’s military has handed power of the country to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, following the arrests of the country’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior leaders in early morning raids Monday.
In an address on military-owned television, Myanmar’s military said that it had detained key political leaders in response to election fraud and had declared a state of emergency, Reuters reported. Power has been handed to army chief Min Aung Hlaing, according to Reuters.
CNN is unable to confirm Reuters reporting due to widespread internet and telecommunication disruption in Myanmar. The news follows several days of worsening political tensions and rising fears of a military coup. The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) spokesperson Myo Nyunt confirmed the detentions to CNN Monday.
“State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and some other senior figures are being detained in (the capital city of) Naypyidaw,” Myo Nyunt said. “The military seems to take control of the capital now.” Several senior leaders from large states in Myanmar, including the ministers of Shan State, Kayah State, and the NLD Ayeyarwady state spokesperson, were also detained in the raids, Myo Nyunt said. READ MORE
