Myanmar military defends execution of activists as global outcry grows

You can’t silence us: (Top) Myanmar nationals living in Thailand holding pictures of the executed political prisoners as they protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok. Similar rallies were held by other activists outside the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan (left) and in Yangon, Myanmar. — Agencies

THE country’s ruling military has defended its execution of four democracy activists as “justice for the people”, brushing off a deluge of international condemnation, including from its closest neighbours.

The military, which seized power in a coup last year, announced on Monday that it had executed the activists for aiding “terror acts” by a civilian resistance movement, Myanmar’s first executions in decades.