Irrawaddy-July 25
Myanmar’s military junta executed former National League for Democracy lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw and veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy over the weekend for their anti-regime activities. The death sentences were widely viewed as an act of revenge by the junta against opponents of its rule. The regime announced on Monday that the punishment had been conducted according to procedures at Yangon’s Insein Prison. They were sentenced to death in January by a military tribunal under Myanmar’s overbroad Counterterrorism Law for masterminding and being involved in the anti-regime armed struggle and related activities.
The men and two others sentenced to death were allowed to meet with their families via video on Friday, prompting fears that the four would be hanged very soon. But the regime’s spokesperson denied the rumors and said the executions would not be carried out in haste as the men had to undergo medical checkups and other procedures. U Moe Zaw Oo, the deputy foreign minister of Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, told The Irrawaddy that the regime had committed an “unforgivable” act, for which there would be serious consequences. “The junta will have to pay the price legally. The executions have made us more determined to topple the regime,” he said. Since last year’s coup, the military regime has handed down death sentences to 113 people for their roles in the armed resistance against the junta. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-hangs-two-leading-democracy-activists.html
