8 foreign representatives present at the grand military parade in Naypyidaw. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing defends his fight against "terrorism". Death threats on state television for those who participate in demonstrations. "The day of shame".
Naypyidaw (AsiaNews) - The military junta staged a solemn parade in the country's political capital to celebrate the Day of the Armed Forces today.
The representative of the Armed Forces of Russia and China were there to applaud. After the coup, the junta met with widespread diplomatic condemnations from the international community with the result only eight foreign representatives were present at the parade.
While the parade was taking place in Naypyidaw, demonstrations were held in other parts of the country for the end of the coup and the return of democracy. Security forces killed at least 80 demonstrators.
Four people were killed in Dala (Yangon) and 10 injured in a demonstration in front of the police station. Three were killed in Insein; four in Lashio; four in Bago; one in Hopin. In the afternoon, at least 10 people were killed in the Mandalay region.
During the parade, head of the junta Gen. Min Aung Hlaing defended the coup d'état due to "electoral fraud" and "corruption", and promised new elections without setting any date. He added that acts "of terrorism that can harm the tranquility and security of the state" are unacceptable.
Min Aung Hlaing's "anti-terrorist" threats translate into an ever wider use of lethal force by the security forces who, using real bullets, shoot the crowd without even issuing a warning, without any demonstrations, shooting people in the head and then making the corpses of the slain disappear.
A message was spread on state television warning young people against participating in the so-called "violent movement" against military domination: "Learn your lesson - it is said - from those who have been brutally killed ... Don't die for nothing".
According to the Association for Aid to Political Prisoners, at least 330 people have been killed in the demonstrations; more than 3 thousand arrested.
On an online forum, Dr. Sasa, spokesman for Crph, an anti-junta group made up of deposed parliamentarians, said: “Today is a day of shame for the armed forces. The generals celebrate the Day of the Armed Forces, after killing more than 300 innocent civilians”.