EU hits Myanmar officials with sanctions, as junta cracks down on protesters celebrating shadow government
- The European Union imposed sanctions on 10 junta officials and two conglomerates linked to the February 1 coup which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government
- Marches were held in Mandalay and elsewhere to show support for the ‘National Unity Government’ announced last week by protest leaders
“The military regime is continuing its course of violence and manoeuvring the country into a dead end. That is why we are increasing the pressure to bring the military to the negotiating table,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said after virtual talks with his EU counterparts.
“In addition to the listing of individuals, two economic conglomerates that are attributed to the military are also affected,” he added.
European diplomats said the two firms hit with asset freezes and visa bans were the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) and Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) which dominate sectors including trading, alcohol, cigarettes and consumer goods.
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Anti-coup protesters turn out in support of Myanmar’s new National Unity Government
The officials targeted are mostly members of the ruling State Administration Council seen as responsible for undermining the democracy in the southeast Asian nation, diplomats said.