16th February, 2021 #day16

 

Some of the most influential news of the day are the junta’s first press conference since the coup and the trial of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Another viral posts include the footage of a young disabled man being beaten by the police during the Naypyitaw protest and photos of the internally displaced persons in Papun district of Karen state due to the Tatmadaw’s offensive in the KNU’s controlled areas.

The junta held a press conference in Naypyidaw today for an hour and a half. Due to the media boycott of the event, there was a significant decrease in the number of reporters and media coverage. Except a few well-known media outlets such as the Radio Free Asia and the Voice of Myanmar, several pro-military media presented and asked questions. Before the Q&A session, the military explained the reasons for the coup, the clash between the riot police and the mass during the violent crackdown in Mandalay’s protest, and the steps taken by the coup government during the state of emergency. According to the military, the removal of the president did not comply with Article 71 of the 2008 Constitution, which deals with impeachment, but in accordance with Article 417, provisions for the State of Emergency, and Article 40 (c) of Chapter (1), the basic principles of the State. Under these articles, the Tatmadaw has ruled that the Commander-in-Chief has the right to seize state power if there is any attempt to control state power through violent and unlawful means. In addition, the spokesperson claimed that police using slingshot to break up the protest does not oppose the existing laws. Regarding the peace process, the military will form three bodies, the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Central Committee, headed by the chairman of the State Administrative Council, a NSPM-Working Group, consisting of negotiators from the military and chairmen of states and regions, and advisory group with external experts and advisers.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint were tried in Naypyidaw court on video conferencing for the first time. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is previously charged under Section 8 of the Import and Export Law for possession of an illegal walkie-talkie, but today she is also being charged under Section 25 of the Disaster Management Law like U Win Myint. Under Section 8 of the Export Law, the maximum sentence is three years in prison, and under Section 25 of the Disaster Management Law, the maximum penalty is three years in prison.

The Chinese embassy released a statement today and denied all reports that the CCP was aware of the coup beforehand, its troops are present in Myanmar, and the junta is being provided with technology. the Chinese government claimed that the planes between Kunming and Yangon have being flown as usual.

According to rumors, the Tatmadaw has ordered its battalions to stockpile basic foodstuffs for three months, the Tatmadaw is preparing to implement a four-cut strategy to contain the nationwide protests, and foreign currency being forcibly taken by the military from banks.