Irrawaddy-Feb 29
Myanmar junta soldiers and police in Mrauk-U Township have confessed to involvement in the execution of seven Rakhine civilians, including a former journalist and rapper, in an Arakan Army (AA) video. The detainees said the seven civilians were held at Mrauk-U police station before they were taken to Light Infantry Battalion 378 headquarters in late December. The AA seized the police station on December 24 but the senior ranks left with the detainees for the infantry camp. Major Thein Htike Soe, a Battalion 378 company commander, said he ordered Lance Corporal Than Aung and Captain Arkar Myint to execute the civilians, including rapper and social influencer Phoe La Pyae and Phoe Thiha, also known as Myat Thu Tun, a former journalist. Maj Thein Htike Soe says on the video that he and District Police Chief Khin Maung Soe told the divisional commander Min Min Tun that the seven detainees were killed by shrapnel in a bomb blast. He did not say why he ordered the killings.
Deputy Police Chief Major Khin Maung Soe and army Captain Arkar Myint said the major ordered the executions on January 23. He expressed sadness for the executions and apologized to the families and the wider community for his involvement, adding that he would accept any punishment. On February 22 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on the international community to act to stop junta massacres. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-captives-confess-to-rakhine-executions.html
