Thousands mourn Buddhist abbot killed by Myanmar security forces

Thousands of BAGO, Myanmar mourners on June 27 attended the funeral of a popular Buddhist abbot shot dead by Myanmar security forces in an incident that drew a rare apology from the junta.

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Prominent Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsa, 78, was an author on Buddhism who headed a monastery that had publicly opposed the military's 2021 coup that has plunged Myanmar into turmoil teacher Sayadaw He was shot dead on June 19 as he travelled by car through central Mandalay region, in an incident state media initially blamed on the military's opponents, before the junta said its forces were responsible.

In heavy rain, senior and junior Buddhist monks, nuns and residents walked for hours alongside the coffin from the abbot's monastery to the cremation ground.