Twelve arrested over Burma 'bomb plot'

Twelve people have been arrested following the discovery of an alleged plot to assassinate a number of government members.

Twelve people have been arrested following the discovery of an alleged plot to assassinate a number of government members.

The Myanmar's military government said today 12 people with links to opposition parties have been arrested.

Myanmar's ruling generals have come under intense international pressure in recent weeks over their detention of pro-democracy opposition leader Ms Aung San Suu Kyi.

Senior military intelligence officers told a news conference the 12 people were planning bomb attacks on the homes of key members of the junta on July 19th, the day Myanmar honours Ms Suu Kyi's father, independence hero Mr Aung San.

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The group had already planted several time bombs in Yangon and nearby townships and had tried to link up with leaders of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) to foment unrest, they said. Four of the bombs were detonated, killing two people and injuring dozens.

"They had plans to contact the NLD in creating civil unrest, but I'm not sure whether the NLD leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, were aware of the plans," said Deputy Military Intelligence Chief Major General Kyaw Win.

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