Senior Member of Myanmar’s Former Ruling Party Passes Away in Prison
Zaw Myint Maung, a senior member of the former ruling party in Myanmar who was arrested during the military coup in 2021, has died while serving a prison sentence. He was 72 years old. Zaw Myint Maung, a close associate of the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a spokesman for her National League for Democracy party, held positions such as second vice president and chief minister of the Mandalay region before the military takeover.
Having a history of being jailed for his political activism under previous governments, Zaw Myint Maung was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. Despite his deteriorating health, he was convicted in closed courts in 2021 and 2022 on charges including violating coronavirus restrictions, corruption, sedition, and election fraud, receiving a 29-year sentence. These charges were widely believed to be politically motivated to undermine the NLD party’s legitimacy.
Throughout his imprisonment, Zaw Myint Maung was periodically transferred to Mandalay General Hospital for medical treatment. His death was confirmed by colleagues from the party in Mandalay, although they chose to remain anonymous due to potential repercussions from the authorities. The National Unity Government, a prominent opposition group in Myanmar, praised Zaw Myint Maung for his unwavering dedication to the democratic cause and his efforts to fight against military dictatorship.
Zaw Myint Maung’s passing follows the death of another NLD member, Nyan Win, who succumbed to COVID-19 in prison in 2021. The NLD, along with several other political parties, was disbanded in 2023 for failing to comply with a new party registration law imposed by the military government. While the military has announced plans for an election next year, the date has yet to be confirmed.
The situation in Myanmar remains tense, with civil unrest escalating between the military regime and pro-democracy forces supported by ethnic minority groups. Zaw Myint Maung’s death serves as a reminder of the ongoing political turmoil and challenges faced by those advocating for democracy in the country.
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