Death penalty for four activists fighting for democracy in Myanmar

 Myanmar's state media said on Monday that military authorities had executed four pro-democracy activists accused of aiding "terrorist activities".

According to the British news agency Reuters, the Southeast Asian country has carried out the death penalty for the first time in decades.

All four were tried behind closed doors in January this year in which they were sentenced to death. They were accused of aiding a militia fighting the army.

It should be noted that the Myanmar army seized power by overthrowing the elected government in the country last year and began a bloody crackdown against its opponents.

These executions have been condemned globally and two UN experts have described them as a "sinister attempt to instill fear" among people.

According to the newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar, those sentenced to death include pro-democracy activist Kyaw Min Yew, better known as Jimmy, and former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phao Zia Thaw.

Kiu Min Yew, 53, and Fao Xia Thao, 41, were allies of Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted by the military. Both had their appeals rejected in June.

The other two persons sentenced to death were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thora Zaw.

The newspaper said, without elaborating, that the four were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act and Penal Code and that the sentence was given under the jail procedure.

The death penalty is carried out by hanging in Myanmar.

Reuters did not pick up the phone when contacted by the army spokesman for his position on the matter.

On the other hand, according to Fao Xia Thao's wife, she has no knowledge about her husband's death sentence.

According to an organization working for political prisoners, more than 2100 people have been killed by security forces since the army seized power, while the military government says these figures are exaggerated.