Envoy of Myanmar civilian gov’t defiant after treason charge

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Dr Sasa, who has been charged with treason by the military gov’t, urges the international community to urgently act to prevent further bloodshed.

The international envoy for Myanmar’s overthrown civilian government has remained defiant after the country’s military government charged him with high treason. Myanmar military-run television said on Tuesday the envoy who goes only by the name Dr Sasa was accused of encouraging a civil disobedience campaign and of calling for international sanctions and the overthrow of the army that seized power in a February 1 coup. Speaking to Al Jazeera from an unknown overseas location due to safety concerns, Sasa said civilians taking part in mass anti-coup protests will soon have no choice but to “defend themselves” in the face of an increasingly brutal crackdown that has seen more than 180 people killed by security forces.