Myanmar's Supreme Court upheld the death sentences...

Myanmar's Supreme Court upheld the death sentences handed to four relatives of former dictator Ne Win for plotting to overthrow the ruling junta. The four were Aye Zaw Win, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win. "Their appeal has been rejected and the only recourse for them is to wait for a pardon from Than Shwe," a source close to the family told AFP, referring to Myanmar's top general. A legal source confirmed that a full bench of the court had heard and rejected their appeal. "The legal procedures they can take are finished now. This is the final step," the source said. The son-in-law and three grandsons of the late dictator were sentenced to death by hanging in September 2002, after being arrested in March 2002 on charges of attempting to involve sections of the army in a plan to seize power. Their first appeal to the court, heard by two judges in November 2002, was rejected a month later, but they were then permitted to make a second appeal to the full bench of five judges, the legal source said. Diplomats and analysts following the case have said Myanmar's military government was unlikely to hang the four, as the death penalty has not been used since it came to power in 1988.