{"id":1067859,"date":"2023-06-05T21:08:37","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T21:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rfa.org\/english\/news\/myanmar\/death-06052023161517.html"},"modified":"2023-06-05T21:08:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-05T21:08:37","slug":"myanmars-junta-has-sentenced-156-civilians-to-death-since-coup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/06\/05\/myanmars-junta-has-sentenced-156-civilians-to-death-since-coup\/","title":{"rendered":"Myanmar\u2019s junta has sentenced 156 civilians to death since coup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n
Myanmar\u2019s junta has sentenced at least 156 people to death \u2013 including four teenagers and manyl in their 20s \u2013 since seizing power in a coup d\u2019etat, according to a group monitoring prisoners of conscience in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thailand\u2019s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said in a report that the junta has increasingly sentenced political activists to death since the Feb. 1, 2022, takeover as a warning to opponents of its rule. Some 42 of the convictions have been in absentia.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The real total may actually be much higher, an official from the group told Radio Free Asia, speaking on condition of anonymity citing security concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe military junta deliberately gives death sentences to instill fear in the people,\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, the people of the spring revolution will continue to fight against the junta no matter how hard they try to scare them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The list includes 18-year-old Hein Min Naing from Mon state\u2019s Ye township and three 19-year-olds from Yangon region\u2019s Thingangyun township named Zaw Lin Naing, Khant Zin Win and Khant Lin Maung Maung.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Also on the list is Kaung Set Paing, a member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions in his 20s, who was charged with incitement and terrorism on April 25 and sentenced to death, in addition to life imprisonment. Kaung Set Paing, who also runs the anti-junta North Okkalapa Township Student Union, was arrested in December.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kaung Set Paing\u2019s friend, who gave her name as Yatu, said that she was heartbroken to learn that he was tortured for a month during interrogation prior to his sentencing.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA 20-year-old like him would have been enjoying his studies if the military coup hadn\u2019t taken place,\u201d she said. \u201cBut now, he is in a hopeless situation in prison. Since he has been sentenced to death, he could be executed \u2026 at any time and I worry about him everyday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The junta executed four prominent activists in July \u2013 the first judicial executions in Myanmar in more than 30 years.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kyaw Thet, a 27-year-old resident of Mandalay\u2019s Wundwin township, was similarly sentenced to 225 years in prison in addition to a death sentence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After being arrested in Meiktila township in January 2022, he was indicted under more than 10 counts of criminal and terrorism charges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A person close to Kyaw Thet\u2019s family, who declined to be named, told RFA that he is in poor health in Myingyan Prison due to injuries he sustained during interrogation.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe suffers a lot of pain in his legs and faints often, as he sustained head injuries when he was beaten during interrogation,\u201d they said. \u201cHis family cannot send him any food or necessities as they are fleeing junta arrest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The family friend said Kyaw Thet\u2019s other relatives are \u201ctoo scared to go to see him\u201d and that the young man has been forced to \u201csurvive on the kindness of fellow prisoners, who share their food and personal items with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Murders in prison\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nay Phone Latt, spokesman for Myanmar\u2019s shadow National Unity Government, accused the junta of committing \u201cmurders in prison\u201d with the sentences handed to Kyaw Thet, Kaung Set Paing, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe terrorist military junta is killing many people in many ways outside prisons in order to stay in power,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the same way, they are committing murders in prisons, too. A legitimate government would hand out death sentences like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n