Myanmar's junta lashed out Tuesday against international condemnation of the country's first use of capital punishment in decades, saying the four executed prisoners—two of them prominent democracy fighters—"deserved many death sentences." The executions announced Monday sparked condemnation from around the globe, heightened fears that more will follow and prompted calls for sterner international measures against the already-isolated junta.

But the military authorities were defiant, with spokesman Zaw Min Tun insisting the men "were given the right to defend themselves according to court procedure".

"If we compare their sentences with other death penalty cases, they have committed crimes for which they should have been given death sentences many times," he said at a regular press briefing in the capital, Naypyidaw.

"They harmed many innocent people. There were many big losses which could not be replaced."

The prisoners, who included a former lawmaker from ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party, had been allowed to meet family members through video conferencing, he said, without providing details.

The junta had previously rejected criticism from the UN and western countries over the death sentences.

'Extremely troubled'

Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), was sentenced to death in January for offences under anti-terrorism laws.

Democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu — better known as "Jimmy" — received the same sentence from the military tribunal.

The two other men were sentenced to death for killing a woman they alleged was an informer for the junta in Yangon.

The junta has sentenced dozens of anti-coup activists to death as part of its crackdown on dissent after seizing power last year, but Myanmar had not carried out an execution in decades.

After a chorus of international condemnation on Monday, including from the UN, the United States and European countries, there was fresh criticism of the junta on Tuesday.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which has led diplomatic efforts to end the crisis, said it was "extremely troubled and deeply saddened" by the executions.

In a statement issued by current chair Cambodia, it accused the junta of a "gross lack of will" to engage with ASEAN's efforts to facilitate dialogue between the military and its opponents.

In Bangkok, hundreds of people staged a noisy protest outside the Myanmar embassy.

Some held photos of Ko Jimmy and Phyo Zeya Thaw alongside Aung San Suu Kyi as they chanted, "We want democracy."

And Malaysia’s foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, slammed the executions, calling them a "crime against humanity."

He called for a review of the so-called five-point consensus agreed by Southeast Asian leaders last year aimed at defusing the political crisis in Myanmar following a coup.&nbsp; 
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Myanmar's junta lashed out Tuesday against international condemnation of the country's first use of capital punishment in decades, saying the four executed prisoners—two of them prominent democracy fighters—"deserved many death sentences.

Myanmar's junta lashed out Tuesday against international condemnation of the country's first use of capital punishment in decades, saying the four executed prisoners—two of them prominent democracy fighters—"deserved many death sentences." The executions announced Monday sparked condemnation from around the globe, heightened fears that more will follow and prompted calls for sterner international measures against the already-isolated junta. But the military authorities were defiant, with spokesman Zaw Min Tun insisting the men "were given the right to defend themselves according to court procedure". "If we compare their sentences with other death penalty cases, they have committed crimes for which they should have been given death sentences many times," he said at a regular press briefing in the capital, Naypyidaw. "They harmed many innocent people. There were many big losses which could not be replaced." The prisoners, who included a former lawmaker from ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party, had been allowed to meet family members through video conferencing, he said, without providing details. The junta had previously rejected criticism from the UN and western countries over the death sentences. 'Extremely troubled' Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former lawmaker from Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), was sentenced to death in January for offences under anti-terrorism laws. Democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu — better known as "Jimmy" — received the same sentence from the military tribunal. The two other men were sentenced to death for killing a woman they alleged was an informer for the junta in Yangon. The junta has sentenced dozens of anti-coup activists to death as part of its crackdown on dissent after seizing power last year, but Myanmar had not carried out an execution in decades. After a chorus of international condemnation on Monday, including from the UN, the United States and European countries, there was fresh criticism of the junta on Tuesday. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, which has led diplomatic efforts to end the crisis, said it was "extremely troubled and deeply saddened" by the executions. In a statement issued by current chair Cambodia, it accused the junta of a "gross lack of will" to engage with ASEAN's efforts to facilitate dialogue between the military and its opponents. In Bangkok, hundreds of people staged a noisy protest outside the Myanmar embassy. Some held photos of Ko Jimmy and Phyo Zeya Thaw alongside Aung San Suu Kyi as they chanted, "We want democracy." And Malaysia’s foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, slammed the executions, calling them a "crime against humanity." He called for a review of the so-called five-point consensus agreed by Southeast Asian leaders last year aimed at defusing the political crisis in Myanmar following a coup. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Executed Myanmar prisoners deserved 'many death sentences', claims junta spokesman

After rising calls on risks of overcrowded prisons leading to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Myanmar decided to release more than a quarter of prisoners.&nbsp;

In April during the New Year holiday, the countries in Southeast Asia generally provide&nbsp;an annual amnesty to thousands of prisoners, but this is the highest ever prisoner-release of the country. &nbsp;

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"To mark Myanmar New Year, by respecting humanitarian ground and peace in mind of the people, the president pardons altogether 24,896 prisoners from various prisons," the president's office said, in a statement.

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So far, Myanmar has reported 85 confirmed COVID-19 cases but experts fear that the real figures could be many more as the country has a low testing rate.&nbsp;

The country is under complete lockdown and the pressure was building up to release prisoners from what Human Rights Watch (HRW) describes as "horribly overcrowded and unsanitary" jails. 
&nbsp; 
The statement also said that 87 foreign inmates included in the amnesty would be deported.&nbsp;

The release would start immediately, a senior official from the prison department in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw said without sharing any other details.&nbsp;

A Rohingya activist, who requested not to be named, said he had heard nearly 1,500 Rohingya Muslim prisoners are also included in the list.&nbsp;

In Myanmar, around 100,000 are currently imprisoned whereas space is just for 62,000, according to HRW.

Last year's amnesty led to the high-profile release of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were behind bars for more than 500 over their reporting on the Rohingya crisis. 
&nbsp;

After rising calls on risks of overcrowded prisons leading to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Myanmar decided to release more than a quarter of prisoners. In April during the New Year holiday, the countries in Southeast Asia generally provide an annual amnesty to thousands of prisoners, but this is the highest ever prisoner-release of the country.

After rising calls on risks of overcrowded prisons leading to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Myanmar decided to release more than a quarter of prisoners. In April during the New Year holiday, the countries in Southeast Asia generally provide an annual amnesty to thousands of prisoners, but this is the highest ever prisoner-release of the country. Also read | Coronavirus: South Asia may see worst economic performance in 40 years, says WB report "To mark Myanmar New Year, by respecting humanitarian ground and peace in mind of the people, the president pardons altogether 24,896 prisoners from various prisons," the president's office said, in a statement. Also read | Coronavirus: IMF approves nearly $1.4 billion to Pakistan to meet balance of payment crisis So far, Myanmar has reported 85 confirmed COVID-19 cases but experts fear that the real figures could be many more as the country has a low testing rate. The country is under complete lockdown and the pressure was building up to release prisoners from what Human Rights Watch (HRW) describes as "horribly overcrowded and unsanitary" jails. The statement also said that 87 foreign inmates included in the amnesty would be deported. The release would start immediately, a senior official from the prison department in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw said without sharing any other details. A Rohingya activist, who requested not to be named, said he had heard nearly 1,500 Rohingya Muslim prisoners are also included in the list. In Myanmar, around 100,000 are currently imprisoned whereas space is just for 62,000, according to HRW. Last year's amnesty led to the high-profile release of two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were behind bars for more than 500 over their reporting on the Rohingya crisis.

Amid growing calls of coronavirus spread, Myanmar decides to release 25,000 prisoners

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Executed Myanmar prisoners deserved 'many death sentences', claims junta spokesman

Amid growing calls of coronavirus spread, Myanmar decides to release 25,000 prisoners