8-12-2024 (YANGON) The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) conducted a public sentencing of 21 individuals in Laukkai, culminating in the immediate execution of six convicts found guilty of serious crimes including murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
The public trial, which took place on December 5, marked the rebel group’s second major judicial proceeding since gaining control of Laukkai earlier this year. According to the Kokang News Agency, the condemned individuals were found guilty of a range of severe offences, including sexual assault of minors, armed robbery, and premeditated murder.
The MNDAA stated that the public nature of the proceedings was deliberately orchestrated to serve as both a deterrent and an educational tool for the local population. This follows their first public sentencing in April 2024, where 10 individuals, including MNDAA members, faced similar charges, with three receiving death sentences.
The executions have drawn international criticism, with the European Union issuing a strong statement of opposition in April. The EU’s intervention highlights growing concerns about judicial practices in rebel-controlled territories across Myanmar.
In a parallel development, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), another prominent rebel group, carried out its own public execution in Hopan on October 30. The case involved a convenience store robbery that resulted in the death of an eight-year-old child. During the same ceremony, the UWSA handed down life sentences and 15-year prison terms to six individuals convicted of rape.
These public displays of justice administration have become increasingly common in rebel-held territories, with the UWSA particularly known for parading convicted criminals through their controlled areas as a demonstration of their authority and commitment to maintaining order.
