KARENNI STATE – The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) announced that two soldiers were sentenced to 20 years and one month in prison for the death of a suspect while in custody.
It is said that, on February 21st, this year, at around 11:00 p.m., some of the KNDF troops used the provided weapons and fired improperly resulting in the death of a 27-year-old civilian lived in Peking Kokhu village. The victim was arrested and detained on charges of drunken and acting unruly in the community.
Therefore, the central investigation team conducted an initial investigation, and after the investigation, it has been informed that the first-level strategic military tribunal has conducted a hearing on the incident under Article (49) of the Military Act.
After that, according to Article (48), the Central Military Court was established and in accordance with the law, the perpetrators, 2 KNDF soldiers were charged under Article (22), (30) of the Military Act. According to articles the Central Military Tribunal, they were sentenced to 20 years and 1 month in prison, according to the statement.
“There was a request from the family of the deceased to make a punitive action (judgement) that guarantees justice. We, as KNDF, if the soldiers have committed a crime, investigate it and then form a tribunal and punish them. Such punitive actions are carried out under the Military Act. The KNDF’s Military Act was implemented in 2022,” said the KNDF official.
It also informs that, as the Karenni National Defense Force KNDF is following and being carried out the (5) meaning of truth, the implementation of the political policy declaration.