A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group has executed six men following a public trial in an enclave it controls near the China border, media affiliated with the group said Friday.

A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group has executed six men following a public trial in an enclave it controls near the China border, media affiliated with the group said Friday. Fourteen people were tried on Thursday by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) for offences including kidnap, extortion and murder, "The Kokang" outlet reported. Photos showed the accused in identical blue tracksuits being held in front of a crowd of around 1,000 people in the city of Laukkai, around five kilometres (three miles) from China's Yunnan province. All wore placards around their necks marked with the word "criminal" in Chinese characters. Six men who were convicted of robbery, kidnap and murder while pretending to be MNDAA soldiers were executed on the spot, The Kokang said. Watch | Imran Khan Threatens Civil Disobedience if Key Demands Are Not Met × It did not give details on the sentences given to the other eight accused. Many of Myanmar's ethnic armed groups run parallel legal systems in territory they hold along the country's borders. In April, The MNDAA executed three of its fighters for murder and selling weapons and ammunition stolen from the group. The United Wa State Army, another group with territory along the China border, sentenced a man to death at a public trial in October for murdering an eight-year-old girl. In 2022, Myanmar's junta executed four people -- the first judicial executions in the country in decades. Myanmar has been in chaos since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, with ethnic rebel groups and newer "People's Defence Forces" battling the military across the country. The MNDAA, which can all on around 8,000 fighters, took control of Laukkai in January after around 2,000 government troops surrendered following weeks of fighting, in a huge blow to the junta. Earlier this week the MNDAA said it was ready for China-mediated talks with the junta to end more than a year of renewed fighting. China is a major ally and arms supplier of the junta but also maintains ties with ethnic rebel groups that hold territory near its border. It has repeatedly called for fighting to stop in Shan state, a key link in its trillion-dollar Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Myanmar ethnic armed group executes six men following public trial

Malaysia's scandal-hit former leader Najib Razak and his wife hit out at the media and police on Saturday, after investigators seeking evidence of corruption were filmed seizing box loads of jewellery, luxury handbags and cash.

Following a surprise victory in an election on May 9, the new government led by Mahathir Mohamad has opened investigations into how billions of dollars disappeared from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded by Najib.

Najib, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have been barred from leaving the country.

Items seized by police from Najib's residence and other locations linked to the couple included 284 boxes of designer handbags, including prized Birkin handbags from Hermes. Dozens of the luxury bags were filled with cash and jewellery.

Najib's lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, told reporters waiting outside the house that the former prime minister and his family were "really very unhappy" that police had confiscated clothes and shoes belonging to his children.

"No attempt was made to verify whether these dresses, shoes, babies clothes and all had anything to do with the investigations which are ongoing," he said.

Television and press reports of police carting away the former first family's personal belongings raised objections from Najib's wife.

"It is our hope that the authorities would observe the rule of law and due process, to avoid a premature public trial," Rosmah's lawyers, Valen, Oh and Partners, said in a statement on her behalf.

"Enforcement agencies should not be feeding social media trolls, but observe and uphold strict professionalism at all times," it added.

At least six countries, including the United States, are investigating the multi-billion dollar scandal.

The round-the-clock search at their residence have prompted some public criticism, including Najib's political rivals who are now in government.

"As former victims of early dawn police raids, I must stress my disagreement in ransacking any home at such an ungodly hour," said ruling coalition politician Nurul Izzah, the daughter of Anwar Ibrahim-- a reformist who was recently released from jail on Wednesday and given full pardon.

"Charge, investigate, prudently," Nurul said on Twitter.

Following a surprise victory in an election on May 9, the new government led by Mahathir Mohamad has opened investigations into how billions of dollars disappeared from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded by Najib.

Malaysia's scandal-hit former leader Najib Razak and his wife hit out at the media and police on Saturday, after investigators seeking evidence of corruption were filmed seizing box loads of jewellery, luxury handbags and cash. Following a surprise victory in an election on May 9, the new government led by Mahathir Mohamad has opened investigations into how billions of dollars disappeared from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state fund founded by Najib. Najib, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have been barred from leaving the country. Items seized by police from Najib's residence and other locations linked to the couple included 284 boxes of designer handbags, including prized Birkin handbags from Hermes. Dozens of the luxury bags were filled with cash and jewellery. Najib's lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, told reporters waiting outside the house that the former prime minister and his family were "really very unhappy" that police had confiscated clothes and shoes belonging to his children. "No attempt was made to verify whether these dresses, shoes, babies clothes and all had anything to do with the investigations which are ongoing," he said. Television and press reports of police carting away the former first family's personal belongings raised objections from Najib's wife. "It is our hope that the authorities would observe the rule of law and due process, to avoid a premature public trial," Rosmah's lawyers, Valen, Oh and Partners, said in a statement on her behalf. "Enforcement agencies should not be feeding social media trolls, but observe and uphold strict professionalism at all times," it added. At least six countries, including the United States, are investigating the multi-billion dollar scandal. The round-the-clock search at their residence have prompted some public criticism, including Najib's political rivals who are now in government. "As former victims of early dawn police raids, I must stress my disagreement in ransacking any home at such an ungodly hour," said ruling coalition politician Nurul Izzah, the daughter of Anwar Ibrahim-- a reformist who was recently released from jail on Wednesday and given full pardon. "Charge, investigate, prudently," Nurul said on Twitter.

Malaysia's ex-PM Najib rails at police, wife warns of 'public trial'

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