A Japanese freelance reporter, Yuki Kitazumi, was arrested in Yangon today while police were trying to disperse protestors who were sitting and chanting anti-junta and pro-democracy slogans.

"According to eyewitnesses, he was beaten on the head by baton but he was wearing a helmet," his assistant Linn Nyan Htun posted on Facebook, adding that he had reached out to the Japanese embassy.

A police officer denied that Kitazumi was beaten, but confirmed the journalist had been detained at a local police station and would be released after giving a statement. He was arrested at 11.00 am.

DVB reported that he was released just after 4:00 p.m., after he was forcibly taken and detained by the security forces.

Tensions remained high in Yangon with protestors rallying at strategic points in Myanmar’s largest city.

Additional reporting AFP