Four pro-democracy activists, including a former member of parliament, have been executed by the military dictatorship of Myanmar, often called 'Burma'.
It is the first use of official capital punishment in the country for decades and has been condemned by a whole host of nations.
All four were accused of committing 'terrorist acts'.
The state media said they were executed because they:
"Gave directives, made arrangements and committed conspiracies for brutal and inhumane terror acts".
In 2021 the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in a violent coup led by the military who had run the nation for decades prior to the restoration of democracy. The democratic leaders, including Suu Kyi, have since been placed under arrest.
Human rights groups have said thousands have been killed in protests since the overthrow of democracy and thousands more have been imprisoned in inhumane conditions.
The four killed executed included 53-year-old Ko Jimmy a long-time democratic activist who had led protests against the military regime for decades. Another of those killed was Phyo Zeya Thaw, a 41-year-old hip-hop star who later became a Member of Parliament, alongside Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw who were accused of murdering a military informer.
Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, said of the killings:
"I am outraged and devastated at the news of the junta's execution of Myanmar patriots and champions of human rights and democracy. These depraved acts must be a turning point for the international community."
The families of those killed have also spoke-out. Zayar Thaw's mother told reporters after the execution:
"When we met on Zoom last Friday, my son was healthy and smiling. He asked me to send his reading glasses, dictionary and some money to use in prison, so I brought those things to the prison today. That's why I didn't think they would kill him. I didn't believe it."
[Based on reporting by: BBC]
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