Myanmar arrests 1 more suspect involved in assassination of legal advisor

Myanmar authorities have arrested one more person suspected of being involved in plotting assassination of U Ko Ni, legal advisor of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), said a press release of the President's Office Friday.

The 46-year-old suspect was blocked and captured on Thanlwin Bridge in Hpa-an, Kayin state on Jan. 30 when he ran away from Yangon to Hpa-an, the release said.

He was arrested 24 hours after U Ko Ni was shot dead by gunman U Kyi Lin at the Yangon International Airport on Jan. 29 afternoon.

U Kyi Lin was arrested on the spot.

The authorities will continue to expose associated culprits, the release added.

The release called on the public to be beware of religious and racial incitement, asking them to promptly report to the authorities if there is disruption of peace and stability.

U Ko Ni, who was also an advocate, was gunned down at the Yangon international Airport on Jan. 29 afternoon upon his arrival back from a senior leadership program in Indonesia's Jakarta.

He was shot in the head by a pistol at a close distance at the airport's taxi stand near arrival terminal-1.

The gunman also killed a taxi driver who had tried to capture him before he was arrested by the police and bystanders.

U Kyi Lin, 52, was further identified as an ex-prisoner from Mandalay prison who was sentenced to 27 years' jail term for stealing Buddha statue, but was once released in 2014 under amnesty order after serving for 11 years' term. Endit