Military leaders must release Aung San Suu Kyi: UK

The leaders of Myanmar's military coup must release the democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will say later. In a speech, Mr Raab will call on the the military to "step aside" and respect Myanmar's democratic process.

It comes after at least two people were killed in protests against the coup - the worst violence yet in more than two weeks of demonstrations. Mr Raab said the shooting of peaceful protesters was "beyond the pale". Reacting to the deaths on Twitter, he said: "We will consider further action, with our international partners, against those crushing democracy and choking dissent."

Protesters took to the streets after the military took over on 1 February and put Ms Suu Kyi under house arrest. The military allege her National League for Democracy party's landslide election win last year was fraudulent, but have not provided proof. Ms Suu Kyi is accused of possessing illegal walkie-talkies and violating the country's Natural Disaster Law.

Hundreds of people attend the funeral of Mya Thwe Thwe Khaing, 20, the first protester to die since the anti-coup demonstrations began Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council later, Mr Raab will say the situation in Myanmar is getting worse, with human rights violations and abuses "well-documented".

He is expected to say the crisis "presents an increased risk to the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities", and will call for civilian leaders such as Ms Suu Kyi to be released.