Shot 10 days ago, Myanmar protester dies

Naypyitaw, February 19

A young woman protester in Myanmar died on Friday after being shot in the head last week as police dispersed a crowd, her brother said, the first death among opponents of the February 1 military coup since demonstrations began two weeks ago.

News of the death came as baton-wielding police and soldiers broke up a procession of people carrying banners of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the northern town of Myitkyina and thousands returned to the streets of the main city of Yangon.

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, who had just turned 20, had been on life support since being taken to hospital on February 9 after she was shot. The UK and Canada have already announced new sanctions on Myanmar military leaders. Japan said it had agreed with India, the United States and Australia on the need for democracy to be restored quickly.— Reuters