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Ko Ni death: Crowds mourn shot Myanmar lawyer Ko Ni death: Thousands mourn shot Myanmar lawyer
(about 3 hours later)
Crowds have gathered in Myanmar's commercial capital to pay tribute to a leading lawyer shot dead on Sunday, as the ruling party described him as "irreplaceable". Thousands of people have attended the funeral of a leading lawyer shot dead in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon, on Sunday.
Ko Ni, who was an adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, was shot in the head at Yangon airport.Ko Ni, who was an adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, was shot in the head at Yangon airport.
A suspect has been detained but there are no details on the motive.A suspect has been detained but there are no details on the motive.
Ko Ni was a rare prominent Muslim in a country dominated by Buddhists. Ko Ni, who the NLD described as "irreplaceable", was a rare prominent Muslim in a Buddhist-majority nation.
It is not clear whether his religion was a factor in his death. The well-respected constitutional lawyer had spoken up in defence of rights for Muslims and had also criticised the military's grip on power.It is not clear whether his religion was a factor in his death. The well-respected constitutional lawyer had spoken up in defence of rights for Muslims and had also criticised the military's grip on power.
Political killings are extremely rare in Myanmar, also called Burma. A taxi driver who tried to stop the gunman escaping was also shot dead.Political killings are extremely rare in Myanmar, also called Burma. A taxi driver who tried to stop the gunman escaping was also shot dead.
In a statement, the NLD said: "We strongly denounce the assassination of Ko Ni like this as it is a terrorist act against the NLD's policies." Ms Suu Kyi does not appear to have made any public comments yet. But in a statement, the NLD said: "We strongly denounce the assassination of Ko Ni like this as it is a terrorist act against the NLD's policies."
Senior NLD leader Tin Oo described Ko Ni's death as a "great loss for the country, for democratic forces and for us (the party)".Senior NLD leader Tin Oo described Ko Ni's death as a "great loss for the country, for democratic forces and for us (the party)".
Rights group Amnesty International said the killing had "all the hallmarks of an assassination". It called for a thorough investigation into the death of a man it described as a "tireless human rights campaigner".Rights group Amnesty International said the killing had "all the hallmarks of an assassination". It called for a thorough investigation into the death of a man it described as a "tireless human rights campaigner".
Reports suggested thousands of people, including MPs, activists and Buddhist monks, had turned out for his funeral at a Muslim cemetery. Large crowds of mourners, including MPs, activists and Buddhist monks turned out for his funeral at a Muslim cemetery.
"All I want to say is, of course we are all shocked and really sad,'' said US Ambassador Scot Marciel. "I knew Ko Ni and his commitment to his country and democracy.''"All I want to say is, of course we are all shocked and really sad,'' said US Ambassador Scot Marciel. "I knew Ko Ni and his commitment to his country and democracy.''
Ko Ni was shot at point blank range outside the terminal as he held his grandson in his arms. The suspect then fled but several taxi drivers chased him, according to The Irrawaddy. The suspect shot one driver, U Nay Win, before being detained by police.Ko Ni was shot at point blank range outside the terminal as he held his grandson in his arms. The suspect then fled but several taxi drivers chased him, according to The Irrawaddy. The suspect shot one driver, U Nay Win, before being detained by police.
The suspect has been named by police as Kyi Lin, 53, but there is no information as to motive.The suspect has been named by police as Kyi Lin, 53, but there is no information as to motive.
Ko Ni had been returning from a meeting in Indonesia to discuss sectarian tensions in Rakhine state when he was killed.Ko Ni had been returning from a meeting in Indonesia to discuss sectarian tensions in Rakhine state when he was killed.
Anti-Muslim feeling is high in Myanmar, and there is significant public support for a military operation in Rakhine, which is home to thousands of Rohingya Muslims.Anti-Muslim feeling is high in Myanmar, and there is significant public support for a military operation in Rakhine, which is home to thousands of Rohingya Muslims.
The military says it is restoring security after a deadly attack on police officers in October last year that it blamed on Rohingya. But it has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, beatings and the burning of villages.The military says it is restoring security after a deadly attack on police officers in October last year that it blamed on Rohingya. But it has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, beatings and the burning of villages.
Rohingya are denied citizenship and are considered illegal immigrants by the government. The NLD runs the current government but the military-drafted constitution ensures the military retains power over key institutions.Rohingya are denied citizenship and are considered illegal immigrants by the government. The NLD runs the current government but the military-drafted constitution ensures the military retains power over key institutions.
Ko Ni's daughter, Yin Nwe Khine, told Reuters he was "often threatened" because he had spoken out against the continuing influence of the military on politics.Ko Ni's daughter, Yin Nwe Khine, told Reuters he was "often threatened" because he had spoken out against the continuing influence of the military on politics.
"We were warned to be careful, but my father didn't accept that easily. He always did what he thought was right."We were warned to be careful, but my father didn't accept that easily. He always did what he thought was right.
"A lot of people hate us because we have different religious beliefs, so I think that might be why it happened to him, but I don't know the reason.""A lot of people hate us because we have different religious beliefs, so I think that might be why it happened to him, but I don't know the reason."