Myanmar’s military leaders have executed four democracy activists for the first time in decades, including a former MP from the party of deposed government leader Aung San Suu Kyi. State media reported that.
Myanmar had not carried out a death penalty for decades. But the military junta that seized power last year has since sentenced dozens of activists to death.
Last month, the junta announced its intention to carry out the death sentences, sparking international outrage. UN chief António Guterres called the decision a “blatant violation of the right to life, liberty and security”.
Phyo Zeya Thaw, a hip-hop artist and former MP for Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party, was accused by the junta of attacking members of the regime. For example, in August he allegedly attacked a train in Rangoon with a firearm, killing five police officers. He was convicted in November under the country’s new anti-terrorism laws.
Prominent democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu was handed the same verdict.
The two other activists who were executed had been convicted of allegedly murdering a woman they believed to be a junta informant.