Myanmar protester describes horrific beating in military custody ‘hell room’

Military has been cracking down brutally on mass protests over coup

The protester was one of around 60 people who were picked up by police in Myeik on Tuesday (AP)

A Myanmar protester has described being beaten with belts, chains, bamboo sticks and batons during time spent in military custody.

The protester, who spoke anonymously to Reuters, said he was detained by troops for three hours after a protest was broken up by police.

He was one of around 60 people who were picked up by police in Myeik on Tuesday amid demonstrations over last month’s coup.

In his account, which could not be verified by Reuters, the protester recalled being handed over to troops by the police at Myeik airbase, where the men were separated from the women, photographed and taken to “the hell room”.

Photographs provided to news agency showing injuries on the man’s back upper body and torso.

The man said demonstrators were beaten “the whole time” they were there, “even while we were walking to the room”.

He told Reuters: “The soldiers said, ‘This is the hell room, why don’t you guys have a taste?’"

Before being freed without any explanation, five people in the group were told to kneel down, facing each other, and were then beaten on their necks, backs and sides, the man said.

Mr Pyae Phyo Aung, a former student union member in Myeik who has been in touch with released protesters, said that 32 other protestors were arrested and sent to jail.

The military in Myanmar has previously said it is dealing with the protests lawfully.

Reuters was unable to contact the Myeik police, the jail, or a military spokesperson for comment on the allegations.

Mass protests have been taking place in Myanmar since the military seized control on 1 February.

As of Wednesday, more than 60 people had lost their lives from the government crackdown on mass protests and an estimated 2,000 more have been imprisoned.