• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Wife of Activist on Death Row Urges Intl’ Community to Save Her Husband

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
June 10, 2022
in Burma, Factiva, News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Wife of Activist on Death Row Urges Intl’ Community to Save Her Husband

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw with former US President Barack Obama.

5.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The wife of leading activist Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, who is on death row awaiting execution by the Myanmar junta, asked the international community not to stand by and let the regime kill her husband.

“I am very worried about him. I would like to urge the international community not to stand by and watch this happen,” said Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung while talking about her fears for her husband.

She spoke out against the military regime’s decision to approve the death sentence given to the hip-hop star turned National League for Democracy (NLD) MP, describing the decision as “unjust”.

RelatedPosts

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

July 11, 2025
66
Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

July 10, 2025
474
Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

July 10, 2025
1.1k

Last Friday, the junta announced that it will proceed with the executions of four men: Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy and two other anti-coup opponents who were given death sentences by junta courts earlier this year.

Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw.

Regime spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said that the appeal process against the death sentences has been completed and rejected.

However, Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung told The Irrawaddy that Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw hadn’t been allowed to mount a defense against the charges in the junta court, and that no appeal had been lodged by his lawyers as they have not been allowed to meet with him since his arrest in November last year.

“This is not fair. He must be allowed to see his family and his lawyer. But there was nothing like that nor any chance to defend him,” Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung told The Irrawaddy.

Ko Jimmy’s wife Ma Nilar Thein, herself a prominent democracy activist, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Thursday that from the day of his arrest in October last year, Ko Jimmy’s family have received no information about his trial and that no appeal was filed by their lawyers, raising further doubts about the junta spokesperson’s claim.

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw was arrested during a raid in Yangon’s Dagon Seikkan Township, then and now under martial law, on November 18, 2021. He was given the death sentence on terrorism charges by a military tribunal in January for masterminding armed resistance operations in Yangon. Ko Jimmy, a long-time activist who participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, received the same sentence.

A number of countries and global organizations have joined local groups in condemning the junta’s decision to approve and proceed with the executions.

Despite that, the military regime has vowed to carry out the executions saying that there will be no mercy.

Ko Jimmy, veteran democracy activist and leading member of the 88 Generation Students Group (left), and former NLD lawmaker Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw (right).

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw served as an NLD MP from 2012 to 2020. Prior to that, he made his name as a member of Acid, Myanmar’s first hip-hop band. Acid emerged in 2000, when the young Myanmar audience was growing bored of the country’s mainstream rock music and looking for something new. Their debut release, Beginning, was the first rap album by local musicians and propelled the band to national stardom, as well as paving the way for other Myanmar hip-hop artists

After last year’s coup and the junta’s subsequent crackdowns on peaceful anti-regime protesters, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw went into hiding but appears to have been active in the resistance movement against the regime.

His wife said Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw has always said that the coup should not have happened and that people should be encouraged to resist the military takeover by every means possible.

“He always does what he thinks is right. Nothing can stop him from his pro-democracy activism. People like him and Ko Jimmy aren’t afraid of its [the junta’s] cruelty,” said Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung.

Held dear by many Myanmar people, especially the young, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw’s execution and that of the other activists on death row will likely escalate the resistance to the junta.

Ma Nilar Thein, Ko Jimmy’s wife, told RFA that the junta will have to take responsibility for its blatant violations of human rights.

A total of 114 people have been sentenced to death since the coup, including students and anti-junta activists, two of them minors.

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw and Ko Jimmy are among the first of the 114 on death row to have their death sentences approved by the junta, despite being given unfair trials in which they could not defend themselves.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: CoupjuntaKo JimmyKo Phyo Zeya Thawmilitary regimeNational League for DemocracyNLDRadio Free AsiaRFAYangon
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.6k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar
Burma

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar

by Yan Naing
July 15, 2022
34.8k

A Myanmar military-backed militia in Kachin State is protecting Chinese-run mines that produce coveted rare earth minerals used in hi-tech...

Read moreDetails
AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Senior US State Dept Official Visits Thai Border

Senior US State Dept Official Visits Thai Border, Discusses Ways to Aid Myanmar People

At Least Nine Myanmar Regime Soldiers Killed in Chin State Clashes

At Least Nine Myanmar Regime Soldiers Killed in Chin State Clashes

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
941
‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
931

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.