Four democracy activists have been executed by Myanmar’s military in what is believed to be the first use of capital punishment in decades.
The four – including activist Ko Jimmy and lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw – were accused of committing “terror acts”.
They were sentenced to death in a closed-door trial that rights groups criticised as being unjust.
Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was very sad after hearing the news, a source told the BBC.
Ms Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, did not make any comments, the source added. She was arrested in February 2021, following an army-led coup.
Family members of the deceased gathered at Insein prison on Monday desperate for information on their loved ones.
The mother of Zayar Thaw says she was not told when exactly her son would be executed, adding that she was unable to make proper traditional funeral plans as a result.
“When we met on Zoom last Friday, my son was healthy and smiling. He asked me to send his reading glasses, dictionary and some money to use in prison, so I brought those things to the prison today,” Khin Win May told the BBC. “That’s why I didn’t think they would kill him. I didn’t believe it.”
Meanwhile, the sister of Ko Jimmy – whose real name is Kyaw Min Yu – had earlier said they were yet to receive the bodies.
The families have all submitted applications for information on the executions.
BBC
