In the four months since the February 1st military coup in Myanmar, more than six thousand people have been detained, with reports of beatings and torture during detention.

Many are not seen or heard from for weeks after their arrests.

Those captured are rumoured to be held at various secret locations around Yangon. One of the most talked about is this compound located inside an army base in Shwepyitha township, which was used as a military prison in the past:

Satellite imagery of the Shwepyitha detention centre on the 22nd of March 2021 (Forensic Architecture, 2021)

Forensic Architecture were invited by Al Jazeera to analyse available photography, satellite imagery and testimony in order to reconstruct the compound and verify the testimony of four former detainees.

Entrance to the Shwepyitha detention facility photomatched (Forensic Architecture, 2021)

Using photographs provided by a local resident, we were able to geolocate the entrance to the compound. In addition, we analysed available satellite imagery, verifying that the building is currently in sustained and heavy use, with an increased presence of military vehicles since the coup.

Perspective plan of the Shwepyitha detention centre, with a witness's drawing overlaid (Forensic Architecture, 2021)

By reconstructing the spatial layout of the detention centre, we could verify the testimony of the former detainees, proving that they were indeed held in Shwepyitha.