Suu Kyi ally dies as coup protesters rounded up
A CAMPAIGN boss from the party of Myanmar’s jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has died in custody as protests continue against the military coup.
Khin Maung Latt is said to have been kicked and punched by officers as they arrested him at his home in one of a series of raids in Yangon on Saturday night. Yesterday morning, his family were told he had died after fainting.
The 58-year-old was collected from a military hospital by relatives who shed tears at his funeral soon afterwards.
Photos showed a bloodstained cloth around his head.
MP Ba Myo Thein, a fellow member of the National League for Democracy, said: ‘It seems that he was tortured severely. This is totally unacceptable.’
Security forces have killed more than 50 people during protests held since the military overthrew and detained Ms Suu Kyi on February 1, claiming election fraud. More than 1,700 have been arrested, says the Assistance
Association for Political Prisoners, run by activists forced into exile.
‘Detainees were punched and kicked with military boots, beaten with police batons and then dragged into police vehicles,’ the association said. ‘Security forces entered residential areas and tried to arrest further protesters, and shot at the homes, destroying many.’
Demonstrations were held yesterday in at least 12 cities including Yangon, where police fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters. Soldiers were also filmed beating up men.
‘They are killing people just like killing birds and chickens,’ a protest leader said to a crowd in southern town Dawei. ‘We must revolt.’
The coup leaders have hired IsraeliCanadian lobbyist Ari Ben-Menashe, who said they were keen to improve relations with the US. They say Ms Suu Kyi is too close to China.