China’s judicial system has carried out the execution of eleven principal operatives from a notorious Myanmar-based criminal syndicate, marking a significant development in cross-border law enforcement cooperation. The Supreme People’s Court confirmed the executions through its official WeChat channel on Thursday, following an extensive legal process that culminated in the approval of death sentences for crimes spanning intentional homicide, assault, unlawful confinement, fraud, and illegal casino operations.
The convicted individuals, identified as ringleaders Mg Myin Shaunt Phyin and Ma Thiri Maung along with nine accomplices, operated primarily in Myanmar’s Kokang region where they established multiple fraudulent compounds beginning in 2015. Their criminal enterprise collaborated with armed groups that provided both financial backing and military support, creating an extensive network responsible for telecommunications fraud schemes that generated approximately 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in illicit proceeds.
According to judicial authorities, the syndicate’s activities resulted in fourteen confirmed fatalities among Chinese citizens and numerous injuries to others. The Supreme People’s Court characterized the nature of these crimes as exceptionally severe with devastating consequences, justifying the ultimate penalty under Chinese law.
The legal proceedings began with the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court’s initial death sentence verdict on September 29, which was subsequently appealed by the defendants. The Zhejiang High People’s Court upheld the original ruling in November, after which the case underwent mandatory review by China’s highest judicial authority. The Supreme People’s Court determined that the evidence presented was comprehensive, the legal procedures were properly observed, and the sentencing appropriately reflected the gravity of the offenses.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the executions as part of China’s broader initiative to combat transnational criminal organizations, particularly those engaged in online fraud and gambling operations. ‘China has been actively cooperating with Myanmar and other nations to eliminate these cross-border threats,’ Guo stated, emphasizing the commitment to protecting citizens’ assets and maintaining regional security through intensified international law enforcement collaboration.
This case represents one of several high-profile prosecutions targeting criminal networks operating across the China-Myanmar border. In a related development, five members of another family-run syndicate received death sentences in Guangdong province last November, while three additional suspects face multiple charges in Fujian province for their alleged involvement with armed criminal enterprises in Myanmar.