Myanmar Coup: Aung San Suu Kyi charged with new crimes

Police in Myanmar's biggefired tear gas at defiant crowds who responded to the roads to protest the military's seizure of power a month ago, notwithstanding reports that defense forces had killed at least 18 people around the people a day earlier. It comes as leader Aung San Suu Kyi was charged with two new offenses, her lawyer said on Monday. Suu Kyi, who was arrested on February 1 following the company coup, is now being prosecuted that too for violating a telecommunications law and for "inciting public disorder," lawyer Nay Tu said. Since her arrest, she hasn't been seen and has already been charged for illegally importing walkie-talkies and failing to comply with coronavirus restrictions.

The new government has increased efforts to break up demonstrations in recent days, and at least 18 people are said to have died in Myanmar, according to the UN, as security forces made mass seizures and appeared to use lethal force on Sunday,

According to "credible information received by the UN Human Rights Office, the fatalities are reported to have happened during violent crackdowns in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku, according to "credible information received by the UN Human Rights Office," the UN said in a statement.

Local media also claimed that up to 18 people were arrested.

It was not immediately confirmed the fatalities and the number of arrests - verifying reports of protesters' deaths has been difficult amid the chaos and general lack of official news.

There were reports of gunfire as police in Yangon, the biggest city, fired tear gas and water as well as cannons while trying to clear the streets of demonstrators, demanding that the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi be restored to power.

Photos of shell casings from live resources used in assault rifles were posted online, adding to evidence that live rounds were fired.

Unverified information on social media but the number of fatalities much higher than this, with reports requiring people, also died in Yangon, Rangoon, and Bago.

The United Nations "strongly punished" the deadly crackdown in a statement, with the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner.