Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in trial on 21 and 22 June. One of her lawyers said that there is no evidence to support the charges against her and he added that the defendant is “not guilty of any of these accusations''. The court will issue an interim order on 29 June in the case against State Councilor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and Naypyitaw Council Chairman Dr. Myo Aung, who were charged with Penal Code Article 505B.

The junta also filed charges against several ousted officials, including Magway Region Chief Minister Dr. Aung Moe Nyo, Magway Region Hluttaw speaker U Tar, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment, Electricity and Energy U Myint Zaw, Social Affairs Minister Dr. Khin Maung Aye, Minister for Construction and Transport U Tin Nwe Oo and Yangon Region Social Affairs Minister U Naing Ngan Lin under Section 55 of the Anti-Corruption Law, which carries a maximum jail term of 15 years upon conviction.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been in Russia for almost a week, a much longer visit than his day trip to Jakarta in April. While the trip’s main purpose is assumed to be the purchase of weapons by the junta from Moscow, he did not receive the full treatment usually reserved for visiting heads of state. 

Media reported that at least six civilians displaced by conflict in Chin state, including a pregnant woman, two infants and three elderly people, have died from lack of access to medical care since fighting erupted between the junta and the Chinland Defense Force (CDF). Mindat Township IDPs Camp Management Committee is requesting support from doctors, nurses, midwives and health care workers as volunteers. CDF also announced that the five points of agreement reached between the Chin PDF and junta troops in Mindat. The agreements include not to conduct armed surveillance, shooting and arresting along the communication lines and not to force CDM staff to return work from junta’s side. The CDF has agreed not to harass, pressure and threaten non-CDM government employees.

Clashes resumed in Loikaw, Kayah state, after the agreement of cessation of fighting. Heavy artillery, machine guns shelled on the civilian houses. Junta’s troops also continued their shelling in Mutraw, Northern Kyin State in 90 Villages, 980 households, 4,000 displaced people and aid are desperately needed.

First urban warfare was projected in Mandalay as junta forces raided a base of the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Bomb explosions followed the clash at various locations across Mandalay to distract the junta’s forces. According to one of the civilian resistance groups, 4 of its members were killed and six arrested by junta troops. 9 junta troops including a lieutenant colonel were killed by the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Junta-controlled newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar announced more than 100 firearms, 10,000 bullets and 499 grenades were seized, along with explosives and detonators. Meanwhile, the PDF announced that only 2 guns were seized.

The United Nations humanitarian agency estimates that 230,000 people have been displaced by fighting and violence in Myanmar and are in need of assistance. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said relief operations were ongoing but were being hindered by armed clashes, violence and insecurity in the country. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) also supported food for 334,000 people in Hlaingthaya Township where military rule has been declared and the next destination will be Dagon Seikkan Township.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized crime groups "adapted and capitalized" on COVID-19 to expand production of illicit narcotics in Myanmar. Instability caused by the military coup is worsening this trend and preventing effective police and border management. The result is increased supply that will have devastating public health impacts on communities in Myanmar and the region. 

According to the information compiled by ANFREL, at least 8 junta-appointed administrators including members of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and some accused of being junta informants were killed in the last week.

Protests continued in different parts of Myanmar despite the crackdown by the junta. The clashes between the junta forces and the civil resistance fighters or Ethnic Armed Organizations also emerged in several places in Myanmar, such as in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mandalay, Sagaing and Bago states/regions. 

According to the information compiled by ANFREL, at least 38 bomb blasts happened across Myanmar in the past week. It was reported that at least 8 people were injured and at least 7 died.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported as of 27 June, 883 people were killed by the junta. 5,183 people are currently under detention and 221 are sentenced. 1,966 warrants have been issued. 40 were sentenced to death, 14 people to three years, 39 people to 20 years, 25 people to 7 years, 1 to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.

Read the full update here: Myanmar Situation Update (21-27 June 2021)