Myanmar executes 4 democracy activists including a former parliamentarian

The Myanmar army has executed four people, including a former parliamentarian.

The four - including activist Ko Jimmy and lawmaker Phyo Zeya Thaw - were accused of committing "terror acts".

They were sentenced to death in a closed-door trial.

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was very sad after hearing the news.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the executions in Myanmar.

He tweeted, "Such reprehensible acts of violence and repression cannot be tolerated. We remain committed to the people of Burma and their efforts to restore Burma's path to democracy,"

According to BBC, Family members of the deceased gathered at Insein prison on Monday desperate for information on their loved ones.

The mother of Zayar Thaw says she was not told when exactly her son would be executed, adding that she was unable to make proper traditional funeral plans as a result.

"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," Khin Win May told the BBC's Burmese Service. "That's why I didn't think they would kill him. I didn't believe it."

The families have all submitted applications for information on the executions.

State news outlet Global News Light of Myanmar said the four men were executed because they "gave directives, made arrangements and committed conspiracies for brutal and inhumane terror acts".

It is said that they had been charged under the counter-terrorism laws but did not say when or how they were executed.

The executions are the first since 1988, according to the United Nations. Previous executions in Myanmar have been by hanging.

Who were the accused?

Ko Jimmy was a veteran of the 88 Generation Students Group - a Burmese pro-democracy movement known for their activism against the country's military junta in the 1988 student uprisings.

He was arrested in October last year after being accused of hiding weapons and ammunition at an apartment in Yangon and being an "adviser" to the National Unity Government.

 Phyo Zeya Thaw was a former hip-hop star turned NLD lawmaker. He was arrested in November for alleged anti-terror offenses. He was close to Aung San Suu Kyi.

Less is known about the two other activists - Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. They were sentenced to death for killing a woman who was an alleged informer for the junta.