07/20/2021, 00.00
MYANMAR
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Yangon: Nyan Win dies in hospital. Protests against the junta continue

The prominent member of the National League for Democracy was ill with Covid. The virus continues to claim victims across the country. The infection figures released by the junta do not reflect reality. Yesterday, there were more protests against the army. Those who returned from prison recounted the torture at the hands of soldiers.

 

 

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Nyan Win, an important member of the National League for Democracy, the party of the democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, died this morning in Yangon hospital. The 78-year-old politician had been transferred to the hospital from Insein prison because he was ill with Covid-19. The military had arrested him on 21 February, three weeks after the coup by the junta that now controls the country. His family blamed the Tatmadaw (the Burmese army) for Nyan's death: "The generals are to blame for everything that has happened. Because of their thirst for power, the country is now in chaos. 

Infections continue to increase and there are no statistics on the seriousness of the health situation. According to data released by the junta, yesterday there were 281 deaths and more than 5,000 new infections, but doctors and funeral services say that this is not possible and that the toll is actually much higher, because the crematoriums are working day and night.

In the meantime, there were more anti-regime protests yesterday. On Martyrs' Day, the Tatmadaw held a guarded ceremony to commemorate the country's heroes, including General Aung San, father of Suu Kyi, who was prevented from attending the celebrations.

In the rest of Myanmar, the army clashed with protesters. In Monywa, west of Mandalay, protesters held a march in which they chanted against the soldiers, while in Meiktila, young people hung a banner in front of the Martyrs' Day memorial to pay tribute to four other "martyrs" killed in their district during the recent anti-coup protests. 

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, since February, the military junta has killed at least 919 people and arrested more than 5,000. According to the non-profit organisation, at least 22 people have been tortured by the army. Yesterday, a 17-year-old boy suspected of being involved in organising some explosions, told Myanmar Now about his experience in Burmese prisons: blindfolded and with his hands tied, he was beaten for several days in a row and almost buried alive by soldiers.

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