Two arrested over attempting to assasinate UN Myanmar envoy in New York

NEW YORK

Two Myanmar citizens were arrested Friday because of a plot to kill that country’s UN ambassador who has been a vocal critic of Myanmar’s military rulers.

Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw attempted to assassinate anti-junta Myanmar Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, according to an indictment submitted to the federal court in New York.

The indictment said a Thai arms dealer who sold weapons to the Myanmar army, hired the two suspects to kill or intimidate the UN Ambassador to leave his post.

Myanmar's military ousted President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, detaining them along with other senior members of the pre-coup ruling National League for Democracy party, citing "election fraud."

The takeover has led to months of demonstrations and a mass civil disobedience movement, which has been met with brutal force.

The death toll has risen to 946, while 5,495 people remain detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a local monitoring group.

*Writing by Busra Nur Cakmak