News & Articles on Burma-Monday, 25 July, 2011

News & Articles on Burma
Monday, 25 July, 2011
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Aung San Suu Kyi meets government minister Aung Kyi
Activists warn against foreign investors in Myanmar
Suu Kyi Sends Condolences to Norway
Activists protest Indian arms sales to Burma during ethnic wars
More Refugees Flee to Border Fearing War
Burma: A true dialogue or a trick to ease international pressure?
Suu Kyi first talk with new Burma govt
AFP to question for Brisbane man over 'death squad' claims
Blood donation group volunteer unable to appear at court hearing
Murder suspect claims Burma police links
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Aung San Suu Kyi meets government minister Aung Kyi

25th July 2011

Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is holding her first meeting with a minister of the army-backed government

Just days after the US called for 'concrete' progress towards democracy, Suu Kyi began talks with the government's Labour minister, Aung Kyi.

The official talks are taking place in a state guest-house in Burma's capital city Ragoon, however no agenda has been made public.

The meeting comes a month after Aung San Suu Kyi was warned to stop all political activity and cautioned not to leave Ragoon. However, Ms Suu Kyi recently went ahead with a trip to the town of Bagen and has continued interviews with international media.

Suu Kyi's party was disbanded by the military regime last year, after she was released from house arrest, because it boycotted the latest vote.

Opposition groups and Western nations are sceptical as to whether anything substantial will come out of the talks or whether it, “turns out to be another carefully choreographed piece of window-dressing much in the manner of the Burma of old.” said BBC South East Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey.

“The mere fact that the government has renewed direct contact, using a minister who performed the same role under the previous military government, has raised hopes that perhaps the door to negotiation has been reopened,” she added. http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/magazine/news/aung-san-suu-kyi-meets-government-minister-aung-kyi
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Activists warn against foreign investors in Myanmar
AFP

BANGKOK (AFP) – Environmental groups called on Monday for an end to foreign investment in projects exploiting Myanmar's natural resources, accusing such activities of sparking conflict in ethnic minority areas.

While foreign direct investment has "skyrocketed", for example through large dams financed by neighbouring China, India and Thailand, there are no decent frameworks to protect Myanmar's environment and communities, they said.

This investment is "concentrated in energy and extractive sectors and often results in militarization and displacement," said a new report from the Burma Environmental Working Group (BEWG), a network of activist organisations.

"Control over natural resources is a major cause of conflict in ethnic areas, where the majority of Burma's resources remain," the report said, using the former name of Myanmar.

Heavy fighting between the rebel ethnic Kachin and Myanmar's state army took place last month in the far north of the country around a dam financed by China, with authorities saying they acted to defend the plant from attacks.

"The renewed war in Kachin state is an example of what Burma can continue to expect as foreign direct investment increases," said Paul Sein Twa of the BEWG.

The group's report said an estimated 48 hydropower projects were currently being planned, constructed or already existed on Myanmar's rivers.

But up to 90 percent of the power they generate is destined for other countries, "instead of supplying local populations who face serious ongoing energy shortages".

The activists called for new and existing investment in sectors that exploit the environment to cease, until the new measures are brought in to ensure sustainable development and multi-ethnic participation.

The new government under President Thein Sein "is failing to make progress on that front," said Paul Sein Twa.

Myanmar's military junta handed power to a nominally-civilian administration earlier this year after elections in November, which the army's political proxies won by a landslide amid allegations of cheating.

The country has been plagued by decades of civil war with armed ethnic minority militias since independence in 1948. http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110725/wl_sthasia_afp/myanmarenvironmentethniceconomy
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Suu Kyi Sends Condolences to Norway
By THE IRRAWADDY Monday, July 25, 2011

Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders have sent letters of condolence to Norway in mourning the deaths of more than 90 people in the wake of a deadly bombing and a massacre in the capital Oslo on Friday.

Suu Kyi, the 1991 recipient of the Noble Peace Prize from Norway, on Saturday sent a letter of condolence to the Norwegian ambassador in Bangkok and expressed her deep sorrow for the victims.

Norway has been active in its support of Burma's democracy movement; the only exiled Burmese television station, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), is based in Oslo.

DVB director Khin Maung Win said that like many other foreigners in Norway he was initially alarmed by the fact that Friday's atrocities were committed by a right-wing Norwegian national with professed anti-immigrant sentiment.

However, he said that the vast majority of Norwegian nationals do not share this kind of sentiment and that he is not fearful for the security of immigrants in Norway which includes many Burmese exiles and refugees.

Aung Moe Zaw, the chairman of the exiled Democratic Party for a New of the Union of Burma party, said that Friday's victims included youth members of the ruling Labor Party which has long supported his party based in Thailand.

“We have sent a letter of condolence to Norway,” he said. “This kind of terrorism is totally unacceptable. The rise of right-wing extremists in Europe bodes ill for Europe and the world as a whole.”

Anders Behring Breivik, 32, who has admitted carrying out Friday's twin terror attacks in Norway, is due to make his first appearance in court on Monday afternoon. Breivik reportedly described his actions as “cruel but necessary” during the weekend police interrogation.

Breivik expressed his desire for a public hearing, but a judge ruled the hearing should be behind closed doors. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21759
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Activists protest Indian arms sales to Burma during ethnic wars
Monday, 25 July 2011 12:55 Tun Tun

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Indian and Burmese pro-democracy forces have urged the Indian government not to sell arms and ammunitions to the Burmese government because of its widespread offensives against ethnic groups in eastern Burma.

Protestors in New Delhi on Friday urged he government not to sell arms and ammunitions to Burma. Photo: BCD

Protestors in New Delhi on Friday urged he government not to sell arms and ammunitions to Burma. Photo: BCD
More than 100 people representing 46 Indian civil society organizations, and 24 Burmese organizations staged a demonstration in downtown New Delhi on Friday.

“We don’t want the Indian government to supply arms to Burma because they are killing innocent people,” Burma Centre Delhi coordinator Alana Golmei told Mizzima.

“[India is] supplying weapons and conducting joint military exercises leading to systematic human rights abuses and criminal hostilities against ethnic groups, political activists, journalists and civilians,” said a joint statement issued at the demonstration.

“You see that they are still willing to give or sell everything that the Burmese government wants in consideration of their national interests. They will continue to give political support and diplomatic protection to the Burmese government as they have done continually in the past,” National Coalition Government of Union of Burma (NCGUB) exile government Information Minister Dr. Tint Swe told Mizzima.

Fifty-two Burmese military trucks carrying weapons from India reportedly crossed the border in Moreh, Manipur State, into Tamu in Burma on July 7 this year, according to the Burmese activists. However, Mizzima was unable to independently verify it.

“If India really sent arms supplies to Burma, it is wrong because the Burmese army is launching military offensives against ethnic organizations in at least three states.” Tint Swe said.

He said India, which is the largest democracy in the world, is a country that upholds the non-violence principle, and a country where Buddhism flourished and it should approach Burma with these values and principles.

“They can sell arms anywhere but they should uphold their own values of non-violence and religious teachings in relations with other countries. I mean Indian should use its own value system and principles in their foreign relations to fulfill their national interests,” he said.

In the past, the Indian government has sold arms and ammunitions to the Burmese government to fight against Indian separatist rebels based on Burmese soil. At that time, Burmese pro-democracy forces protested against the arms sale. Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukerjee denied the arms sale to Burma at the press conference held in Washington D.C. in March 2008 during his tour of the US.

According to researcher Siemon Wezeman of the Sweden- based SIPRI, the Indian government has supplied 75 mm and 105 mm artillery pieces, T55 tanks, armoured personnel carriers, trucks and helicopters to Burma. The sale was also mentioned in Wikileak cables but independent verification is not available.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 July 2011 14:55 ) http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/5659-activists-protest-indian-arms-sales-to-burma-during-ethnic-wars.html
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More Refugees Flee to Border Fearing War
By SAW YAN NAING Monday, July 25, 2011

Hundreds of Kachin people have fled to the Sino-Burmese border by Laiza and Majayang villages fearing that the current Kachin State conflict will escalate further as three military ships arrived in Bhamo Township, northern Burma.

Around 2,000 residents from at least seven villages in Bhamo Township have fled since mid-July, after three ships carrying plain clothes men were spotted approaching the settlement. Local people are worried that fighting between government troops and ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) will intensify, said relief worker Mai Ja.

La Nan, joint-secretary of the KIA’s political wing the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), said that the Burmese authorities ordered villagers from some 1,000 households in Kala Yang, Kazue and Tapant villages to flee their homes by July 25.

He also said that the KIO is worried that the government might launch a full-scale offensive against the KIA base in Laiza, northern Burma.

Residents of Bhamo Township dare not remain in their villages any longer and have joined more than 16,000 refugees on the Sino-Burmese border. Aid groups in Laiza estimate the number of refugees may now have reached 20,000.

Last week, the KIO said that more Burmese Army trucks and military river vessels were headed toward its bases following rumors that government troops would attack the KIO’s headquarters in Laiza.

On the night of July 21, Burmese government troops from Infantry Battalion 142 fired 20 mortars, including 81 mm shells, at the KIA’s Battalion 24 which operates under Brigade 5.

La Nan also said that the government sent a letter to the KIA on July 23 suggesting a ceasefire in Kachin State, but not in all ethnic regions. The KIA recently called for ceasefire talks which involved representatives of all ethnic armed groups.

“It seems [the government] has moved away from our proposed aim of a nationwide ceasefire agreement. They want to make peace in Kachin State first and think about ceasefires in other parts of other ethnic regions later,” said La Nan.

Humanitarian groups have also said that aid supplies are needed for the growing refugee crisis on the Sino-Burmese border.

“Food is not sufficient for refugees now. We haven't receive aid from international aid agencies. Only local religious community groups currently contribute aid to the refugees,” said Mai Ja.

In early July, local humanitarian groups and relief agencies appealed to international aid groups regarding the rising need for emergency food, shelter and medical care, as well as schooling for children on the Sino-Burmese border. http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21758
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Burma: A true dialogue or a trick to ease international pressure?
Mon, 2011-07-25 01:21 — editor

News Comments

By - Zin Lin

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will meet with Labour Minister Aung Kyi, the first rare meeting between the Nobel laureate and the new army-backed government, quoting an official Reuters News said on Sunday.

Aung San Suu Kyi has time and again called for dialogue with the government since her release from house arrest a week ahead of November election, which was tarnished by alleged of vote-rigging and the exclusion of her party.

"Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung Kyi will meet at Sein Lei Kan Tha state guest house on Monday afternoon. It will be the first meeting between them after the new government was formed," a Burma government official told AFP, without elaborating.

Ohn Kying, the NLD’s Central Executive Committee member confirmed the meeting arranged by the government to engage with Aung San Suu Kyi at 1 pm Monday.

At the offer of the army-backed Burmese civilian government, Burma’s Nobel laureate would meet on Monday with Labour Minister Aung Kyi, who stands for the ruling generals in earlier talks with the democracy icon.

On the other hand, the Burmese government has warned pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) to end "illegal activities", including its agitation and opposition to the newly elected legislative body.

A letter signed by the Home Minister and send to Suu Kyi’s party in June said the NLD had been officially dissolved in September last year. Because, the NLD preferred to boycott election held in last November, while Suu Kyi and two thousands political prisoners were in prison.

The 30 June state-owned newspaper raised the issue in a commentary under the caption of “Right to make choice still in the hand” by a ghost-writer.

In one paragraph, the commentary says, “From the point of law, NLD is defunct. The Union Election Commission issued Announcement (18/2010) dated 9-4-2010 reminding the 10 political parties that still met Article 25 of Political Parties Registration Law at that time that they could apply within 60 days for continued existence as political parties. However, only five of them did so. It is common knowledge that the five political parties did not include NLD.”

It also underscored that the NLD has been removed from the list of political parties and has been dissolved according to Announcement 97/2010 dated 14-9-2010 by the Union Election Commission.

The home minister’s letter also spotlighted that the government was deeply worried that if Aung San Suu Kyi makes political tours to rural parts of the country, there may be anarchy and unrest, as experienced by prior incidents in 2003.

It is not known whether the meeting will be a flexible gesture in stance by the latest government, which is led by members of the junta that controlled the country for decades. The ex-generals in this government were strongly opposed to Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

A government official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters the meeting would take place early Monday afternoon at a state guesthouse close to Suu Kyi's residence. In his former part as liaison officer for the junta, Aung Kyi met Suu Kyi 10 times while she was under house arrest.

In frequent media interviews, Suu Kyi expressed her aspiration to hold talk with the new government to press for some changes to help people of Burma. The government did not respond.

In its Martyrs’ Day statement, the NLD says, “We have repeatedly said that the NLD is ready to negotiate flexibly for the beneficial results of the people of Burma. But the dialogue should not aim for the benefit of the NLD nor the benefit of the authorities, but for the benefit of the Burmese people. Therefore the authorities should create the fair political conditions by holding meaningful political dialogue towards national reconciliation and releasing unconditionally all the political prisoners.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday called on Thein Sein government to free political prisoners, address non-proliferation concerns and start a dialogue with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Clinton, speaking at a regional security forum of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bali, said Burma (Myanmar) was a major challenge to the regional group and would have to be addressed.

Aung Kyi is regarded as a moderate minister in military-dominated government, and this will be his first meeting with the democracy icon as labor minister in the new government.

Analysts say it is expected Burma's rulers are aware of Suu Kyi's influence on the international community and realize her involvement as a necessity to do away with Western sanctions since 1988.

Some analysts also concerns about the meeting on Monday as they have experienced in the past that the consecutive military regimes typically arrange such show to mislead the international community.

Many people supporting political changes in Burma dare not believe on the reported meeting whether the nominally civilian government is attempting to alleviate tensions with the Western governments.

- Asian Tribune - http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/07/24/burma-true-dialogue-or-trick-ease-international-pressure
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BANGKOK POST:
Suu Kyi first talk with new Burma govt

Published: 25/07/2011 at 02:32 PM
Online news:

Aung San Suu Kyi met with a minister of Burma's new government for the first time on Monday, raising tentative hopes of sustained dialogue between the opposition icon and authorities.

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (C) is greeted by a supporter in the country's ancient temple city of Bagan. Aung San Suu Kyi has met a minister of Myanmar's new government for the first time Monday, raising tentative hopes of sustained dialogue between the opposition icon and authorities.

Just days after the US called for "concrete" progress towards democracy, Suu Kyi -- who was released from house arrest soon after a controversial election in November -- began talks with labour minister Aung Kyi in Rangoon.

"They are meeting now," a government official told AFP without offering further details, as reporters waited outside the venue -- a state guesthouse in Burma's main city.

Suu Kyi has frequently urged dialogue with the government since her release, but the authorities' decision to hold talks met with a mixed reaction from observers, with some seeing it as aimed at gaining concessions from the international community.

Details of the meeting's agenda were not clear, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party spokesman Nyan Win told AFP on Sunday, but he earlier said a meeting between the two sides would be "good".

Aung Kyi was in charge of relations between the military junta and Suu Kyi under Burma's previous regime, but this was to be the first meeting between them since the new government was formed, an official told AFP at the weekend.

The dialogue is due to take place in the early afternoon at a state guesthouse. The pair have met before on several occasions, including in late 2009 while Suu Kyi was still under a seven-year period of house arrest.

The 66-year-old democracy champion was freed shortly after elections that were won overwhelmingly by the military's political proxies. The polls were marred by claims of cheating and the exclusion of Suu Kyi from the process.

The government has since warned her to stay out of politics.

News of the planned meeting with Aung Kyi emerged on Saturday, the same day that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Burma's rulers to have "meaningful and inclusive dialogue" with the opposition.

A US official travelling with Clinton also said the Burma government's bid for the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2014 would be in doubt unless it reformed its ways.

The timing of the meeting was therefore significant, said political analyst Pavin Chachavalpongpun of Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

"They could have done it any week, so why this week?" he said, adding that the talks had "symbolism" and showed "both sides are trying to do some kind of constructive engagement".

Suu Kyi has spent much of the last 20 years as a prisoner in her Rangoon home, and some observers believe the government would be quick to limit her freedom again if she is perceived as a threat to their rule.

Renaud Egreteau, a Burma expert at Hong Kong university, said it was likely the talks were happening because "the regime wants to get something from the international community".

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a renewal of sanctions that ban the import of goods from Burma, including lucrative gems, and restrict visas issued to government officials.

Suu Kyi has said international sanctions should be maintained, at least until Burma's more than 2,000 political prisoners are released.

She has tested the boundaries of her freedom this month, in particular with her first visit outside Rangoon since her release, when she refrained from any overt political activities that might have antagonised the government.

Suu Kyi's party, which won a landslide election victory two decades ago that was never recognised by the junta, was disbanded by the military regime last year because it boycotted the latest vote, saying the rules were unfair. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/248721/suu-kyi-holds-first-talks-with-new-burma-govt
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AFP to question for Brisbane man over 'death squad' claims
Dan Oakes and Jessica Marszalek
July 25, 2011

Criminal Clearance within 72 hours Remove of old SA Criminal Records
Htoo Htoo Han, a Burmese refugee, holds up a 1988 photo which he say shows him (right) posing as a student leader while working as a lieutenant in Burma's military intelligence.

Htoo Htoo Han, a Burmese refugee, holds up a 1988 photo which he say shows him (right) posing as a student leader while working as a lieutenant in Burma's military intelligence. Photo: AAP Image/Patrick Hamilton

Federal police will question a Burmese-born Brisbane man who claims to have murdered dozens of political activists while working undercover for the military regime.

Htoo Htoo Han used the media last week to confess to the killing of at least 24 people in the wake of a pro-democracy uprising in Burma in 1988. He posed as a student activist, but was in fact the commander of a military intelligence death squad.

He subsequently claimed that eight other members of his squad — responsible for killing up to 150 people in total — are also living in various states around Australia after successfully requesting political asylum.
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Mr Han, a 44-year-old Australian citizen and father of three, confirmed to Fairfax yesterday that the federal police had contacted him last week and suggested he retain a lawyer, as they would be questioning him this week over the claims.

Meanwhile, a second Burmese man has come forward to confess to a secret military past, saying he caused the deaths of up to 50 people in Burma.

Moon Hsar, 44, says he worked as a secret agent for the Burmese military from within the Karen revolutionary army between 1984 and 1987, having been seduced by its power and wealth.

He claims it was his job to incite conflict between his own Karen people and other ethnic groups by rumour-mongering and blaming innocent parties for others' deeds.

He would also pass intelligence back to the junta via the animal trade.

"There was a lot of fighting. Three years is a long time," he said through an interpreter.

"Forty to 50 people (died) because of me, because of order from military government.

"I feel guilty, very guilty. I feel like they use[d] me as a knife to kill my own people."

Mr Hsar, a father of five, said while his own situation was unrelated to that of Mr Han, he too wanted to get the secrets plaguing him off his chest.

The low-ranking sergeant said he stopped working for the military when he saw soldiers punishing a Karen-controlled village in about 1987.

"The army come in, they rape[d] the women, everything, I see this woman being raped . . . I very, very angry so I cut it off," Mr Hsar said.

"They kill[ed] really all woman, children, they kill[ed] them all."

An Australian citizen, Mr Hsar came to Australia five years ago after leaving the Karen army in 1998 and staying at a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border.

He indicated there may be more like him living in Australia, now willing to confess their pasts after reading Mr Han's story.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland last week ordered the federal police to investigate Mr Han's claims.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/afp-to-question-for-brisbane-man-over-death-squad-claims-20110725-1hw2b.html#ixzz1T70EI5Mj
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Blood donation group volunteer unable to appear at court hearing
Monday, 25 July 2011 13:14 Te Te

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Nay Myo Zin, a leading volunteer of a blood donation group and a former military officer, who is being tried in a special court inside Insein Prison in Rangoon, has not appeared at hearings because of a lower back injury, according to his wife and lawyer. He was charged under the Electronics Act for sending an e-mail to a friend that discussed national reconciliation.

Nay Myo Zin, a former Burmese captain and an active volunteer in a blood- donor group, has been unable to attend his trial in Insein Prison because of a bone injury. Photo: Youth Network For People

Nay Myo Zin, a former Burmese captain and an active volunteer in a blood- donor group, has been unable to attend his trial in Insein Prison because of a bone injury. Photo: Youth Network For People
Because of a back injury sustained when he fell, he was unable to appear at hearings on July 14 and July 21.

“The last time we saw him was July 7 at a hearing. At lunchtime, he was not able to sit so he lay on his back. Although he was receiving medical treatment, there’s been no improvement,” his wife, Zin Myo Maw, told Mizzima.

“If he does not receive good medical treatment, he could suffer from paraplegia so we are very worried,” Zin Myo Maw said. She said that the last time she visited the prison her husband was not able to meet with her because of the injury.

According to an X-Ray, one of his lumbar vertabrae bones was cracked and the doctor said that he needed to have a CT scan and medical treatment from a specialist, Nay Myo Zin told his family on July 7.

Nay Myo Zin applied for bail to get medical treatment at a special clinic outside the prison, but the court refused the request on July 14. Hla Myint, his lawyer, said that the prison hospital refused to give the medical records to Nay Myo Wai, and the court cited that in not granting him bail.

“We found that non-political prisoners could get their medical records. We did not receive the medical records, so we asked for the prison doctor to testify at court but the court rejected our plan. It is unjust,” Hla Myint said.

He sent an appeal letter to the Directorate of Prison on July 21, saying Nay Myo Zin needed to receive medical treatment outside the prison.

Nay Myo Zin was arrested on April 2 under the Burmese Electronics Act for sending an e-mail to a friend in a foreign country about “national reconciliation,” according to family members. In Burma, the Electronics Act does not allow the defendant to be granted bail.

Nay Myo Zin, 35, resigned from the army as a captain in 2005, after serving nearly 10 years. He was an active volunteer in a blood donation group affiliated with the National League for Democracy and a social group that gives help to storm victims. http://www.mizzima.com/news/prisoner-watch/5660-blood-donation-group-volunteer-unable-to-appear-at-court-hearing.html
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Murder suspect claims Burma police links
By SHWE AUNG
Published: 25 July 2011

A man who stabbed to death a woman last week in Mandalay city claims he was paid a fee by a senior-ranking drugs enforcement officer to kill the victim, allegedly a wife of the police commander.

The incident took place around 6.30pm on 19 July in the city’s Thirimalar ward. The suspect was apprehended by locals after hearing the woman scream.

Police in Mandalay have refused to comment on the matter, but eye-witnesses claim the man confessed in court to being paid one million kyat ($US1,250) by Than Soe, a commander in the northern Mandalay district’s narcotics bureau, to carry out the hit.

Than Soe is currently being held by police in Mandalay pending investigation. One source said that the commander had fathered a child with the woman, but refused to pay child support fees.

Another source has claimed the woman had also been a police officer but was sacked after she became pregnant with Than Soe’s child.

The woman had reportedly travelled from Bhamo, in Kachin state, to Mandalay to confront Than Soe, and demanded 20 million kyat from him. He offered to pay only five million kyat, which she refused.

It was then that he hired a hitman to carry out the killing.

The murder suspect has also being detained at a police station in Mandalay.
http://www.dvb.no/news/murder-suspect-claims-burma-police-links/16707