Facebook access cut in Myanmar following coup; tv channels taken off air

 

YANGON: Internet and news services have been disrupted across Myanmar on Thursday, as the country's military sought to secure their grip on power after deposing the democratically-elected government earlier this week.

 

 

San Suu Kyi, the country's de facto leader, along with President Win Myint and dozens of other senior figures in their National League for Democracy (NLD) were detained on Monday.

 

 

Now, power has been handed to commander in chief Min Aung Hlaing, in response to unfounded allegations of election fraud. Moreover, a state of emergency has declared for one year.

 

 

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On Wednesday, an arrest warrant was issued for Suu Kyi over unspecified "import and export" offenses, while Win Myint was remanded in custody under the country's Disaster Management Law.

 

 

Facebook has confirmed that its services were "currently disrupted for some people" as of Thursday morning, meaning many might still be unaware of what is happening,

 

 

WhatsApp and other platforms, even as basic internet access was returning in some areas.

 

 

At one point on Monday, the only operational TV channel was the Myanmar military-owned television network Myawaddy TV.