5 protesters killed in Myanmar, ‘Suu Kyi’ trial hearing postponed



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At least five pro-democracy protesters were killed in Myanmar on Monday, following a deadly crackdown by the military group that blocked mobile phone data networks, preventing the emergence of former Burmese leader Aung San Suu. Kyi, via video link. Before the court.

An unidentified resident fearing reprisals told AFP that two men and one woman were killed and 12 people injured in Mingyan, in the center of the country. A witness confirmed the murder of two protesters after being shot in the chest.

And the toll continues to rise. On Sunday, at least 44 protesters were killed, the bloodiest day of repression since the February 1 military coup.

In all, more than 120 protesters have been killed in the past six weeks, according to the Committee for Assistance to Political Prisoners.

The situation was very tense on Sunday, especially in Hlaing Thariar, an industrial suburb of Rangoon, the economic capital of the country, where people set fire to Chinese factories and killed 22 people at the hands of security forces.

On Monday, China said it was “extremely concerned” for the safety of its citizens. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian urged the Burmese authorities to take measures “to resolutely prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”

The army’s response continues at the judicial level. The Committee for Assistance to Political Prisoners counted the arrests of more than 2,000 people since February 1, including the political leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, who is still being held in a secret location.

Khin Maung Zhao, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, explained that the de facto head of the civil government was supposed to appear via video link in the morning in front of the judges, but the session was postponed due to the interruption of internet service. It will take place on March 24th.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, is on trial on at least four counts of illegal importation of wireless communication devices, breach of Coronavirus-related restrictions, violation of the Communications Act, and incitement. to public unrest.

The army also accuses her of corruption, confirming that she accepted bribes worth $ 600,000 and more than 11 kilograms of gold.

After six weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations, the generals relentlessly continue their repression. While the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned possible “crimes against humanity” committed by the military group, including murders, persecutions, forced disappearances and torture.

UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar Tom Andrews wrote in a tweet on Monday that military leaders “should not be in power, but behind bars,” calling for an immediate halt to “the supply (to the army) of money. and weapons “.

The generals seized power, citing widespread fraud in the November legislative elections, in which Suu Kyi’s party won overwhelmingly. This ended a decade-long democratic transition process in Myanmar.



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