Four democracy activists including activist Ko Jimmy and lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw were executed by the Myanmar military accused of committing “terrorist acts” in what is believed to be the first use of the death penalty in decades.
They were sentenced to death in a closed-door trial that human rights groups called unfairly.
Relatives of the deceased gathered Monday in Insein Prison, desperate for information about their loved ones.
Zayar Thaw’s mother says she was not told exactly when her son would be executed, adding that she consequently was unable to make the proper traditional funeral plans. “When we met on Zoom last Friday, my son was healthy and smiling. He asked me to send his reading glasses, dictionary, and money for the prison, so I brought these things in jail today,” Khin Win “That’s why I didn’t think they would kill him. I didn’t believe it.”
Meanwhile, Ko Jimmy’s sister – real name Kyaw Min Yu – previously said she would still receive the bodies.
The families have all requested information about the executions.
Myanmar’s state-run Global News Light said the four men were executed for “directing, organizing and conspiring to commit brutal and inhumane acts of terrorism”.
He said they had been charged under anti-terrorism laws, but did not say when or how they were executed.
According to the United Nations, these executions are the first since 1988. Previous executions in Myanmar have been by hanging.
In 2021, the country’s military seized power, an event that sparked widespread protests and led to a military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, activists, and journalists.
The news of the murder was met with strong criticism from opposition groups and human rights groups.
“I am outraged and amazed by the news of the execution by the junta of patriots of Myanmar and defenders of human rights and democracy,” said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar. “These evil acts must be a turning point for the international community.”
The shadow government of the National Unity of Myanmar (NUG) said it was “extremely shocked and saddened” by the killings.
The NUG – a group made up of pro-democracy figures, representatives of armed ethnic groups, and former lawmakers formed in response to the 2021 military coup – has urged the international community to “punish (the) murderous military junta” for their atrocities. and murders “. Ko Jimmy, 53, was a veteran of the 88 Generation Students Group, a Burmese pro-democracy movement known for its activism against the country’s military junta during the 1988 student uprisings.
Along with his wife, activist Nilar Thein, he was considered one of the pioneers of the democracy movement.
When monks led anti-regime protests in 2007, Ko Jimmy and his wife mobilized activists and protesters from the 1988 protests to participate.
He served several prison sentences for his activism before being released in 2012.
He was arrested in October last year after being accused of hiding weapons and ammunition in a Yangon apartment and being an “adviser” to the national unity government.
Phyo Zeya Thaw, 41, was a former hip-hop star turned NLD legislator. His band Acid released Myanmar’s first ever hip-hop album, the lyrics of which contain barely veiled attacks on the military and anger on the junta.
Gradually he became a close ally of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, often accompanying her in her international meetings with world leaders.
He was arrested in November for alleged counter-terrorism offenses.
