RULING PARTY MOURNS ASSASSINATION OF ADVISER

YANGON, MYANMAR Thousands of Myanmar politicians, activists and others shocked by the assassination of a longtime adviser to leader Aung San Suu Kyi gathered Monday at a cemetery for an emotional funeral ceremony, while police investigated the motive for the killing.

Ko Ni, a prominent lawyer and member of Myanmar’s Muslim minority, was shot in the head at close range as he walked out of the Yangon airport Sunday. The suspected shooter was apprehended while trying to escape.

A statement issued late Monday by the office of President Htin Kyaw said that according to an initial interrogation, the shooting was intended “to threaten the country’s stability.” It said the authorities would step up security measures, and urged people not to be frightened and refrain from agitation involving race or religion.

The suspect was arrested after he also shot a taxi driver who tried to stop him from fleeing the airport, the Information Ministry said. The driver died on the way to a hospital.

Police seized two guns from the man, whom they identified as Kyi Linn of Mandalay. Authorities were searching for any possible accomplices.