“As of 18 May, 805 people are now confirmed killed by this junta coup. AAPP compiled and documented 3 fallen heroes today. These 3 fallen heroes from Mindat Township in Chin State, South Dagon Township in Yangon Region and Daik-U Township in Bago Region were killed on previous days and documented today. This is the number verified by AAPP, the actual number of fatalities is likely much higher,” said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an independent non-profit organization founded by Burmese former political prisoners living in exile.

“As of May 18, a total of 4146 people are currently under detention; of them 92 are sentenced. 1722 have been issued arrest warrants; of them 20 were sentenced to death and 14 to three years imprisonment with hard labor, who are evading arrest,” it added.

AAPP DAILY UPDATE (18/05)

805 killed by this junta

5237 total arrested since coup

4146 currently detained/sentenced

1722 evading arrest warrant

brief https://t.co/JB3RJnPwFG
detained https://t.co/XMZUrYRtfV
fatalities https://t.co/zIIb2rmtIe
releases https://t.co/haqEMnTTU1 pic.twitter.com/HQncoDQv81

— AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) May 18, 2021

A coup d'état began in Myanmar on the morning of 1 February when democratically elected members of Myanmar's ruling party, the National League for Democracy, were deposed by the Tatmadaw—Myanmar's military—which vested power in a stratocracy.

The Tatmadaw proclaimed a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been vested in Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing. It declared the results of the November 2020 general election invalid and stated its intent to hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency.

The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected at the 2020 election, thereby preventing this from occurring.

President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers, their deputies, and members of Parliament.

Civil resistance efforts have emerged within the country, in opposition to the coup, in numerous forms, including acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes, a military boycott campaign, a pot-banging movement, a red ribbon campaign, public protests, and formal recognition of the election results by elected representatives. (ILKHA)