Myanmar Head of Government’s Party Member Dies in Prison after Torture | NOW

A member of the party of Myanmar’s head of government, Aung San Suu Kyi, died in custody overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Man died after being assaulted by members of the military junta, news agency reports AFP. He was arrested on Saturday evening.

This is Khin Maung Latt, about 58 years old. He was the chairman of the local party in Rangoon, the country’s largest city. He was also buried there on Sunday.

According to party members, a neck injury and back bruises indicate the politician was tortured to death. An army doctor cited heart disease as the cause of death.

Since the army seized power in Myanmar on February 1, more than 1,700 opponents have been arrested. Among others, Suu Kyi and dozens of members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party are in prison, according to the human rights organization Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). In addition, at least 50 protesters were reportedly killed by security forces.

The military denies using excessive force against protesters, who have taken to the streets for weeks to protest the coup. Sunday was no exception. Last Wednesday was the bloodiest day since taking power. 38 people died after the army opened fire on demonstrators.

The generals say the coup was necessary because of electoral fraud. They were won by the NLD in November.