Four Burmese students arrested for protesting against the military coup in Myanmar arrived at court on Friday (February 5).

The four males made three finger "Hunger Games" salute - adopted from democracy protests in neighbouring Thailand - while police escorted them into the court in Mandalay.

It came as hundreds of Burmese students from Dagon University in northeastern Yangon protested today against the military coup that toppled leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.

While earlier this morning teachers at the Yangon University of Education joined doctors and nurses in the 'red ribbon' campaign to show support for the country's previous civilian government.

Protests have erupted across the capital Yangon after Aung San Suu Kyi was detained on Monday morning (February 1) and MPs were arrested. Army chiefs seized power in a military coup.

The military said in a statement that "all authority has been given to the top army commander and a one-year state of emergency has been declared." Reacting to events, the White House said it was "alarmed" by the developments in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said: "We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions."

America called for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released and threatened to "take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed."

Burma was governed by Britain from 1824 to 1948, during which time it became the second-wealthiest country in Southeast Asia but following independence was ruled by the military until 2011 when democratic reforms began.