YANGON -- Death sentences handed to four relatives of former Myanmar dictator Ne Win for plotting to overthrow the military regime mark the end of the ageing autocrat's era of domination, analysts said Friday.

The arrests of the four in March transformed Myanmar's political landscape by dispelling the popular notion that Ne Win continued to wield significant influence despite standing down in 1988 after leading the country for 26 years.

On Thursday, a special tribunal set up in the grounds of Yangon's notorious insein jail delivered the final blow to the dynasty by sending Ne Win's son-in-law, Aye Zaw Win, 54, and three grandsons to the gallows, AFP reported.

However, the four accused appeared nonchalant as the sentence was read out, bolstering speculation that Myanmar's former "first family" had cut some kind of deal to spare their lives.

"Not only were they not surprised but they seemed to take it in their stride, even chatting away with each other while the judge reeled out the incriminating testimonies," said one political observer.

Judge Aung Ngwe left the door open to an appeal, saying the Supreme Court would have to confirm the sentences before they could be carried out.

But as he finished speaking, the eldest of the 20-something grandsons, Aye Ne Win, who is a qualified lawyer, called out defiantly "we are not going to appeal".

And as the four were being led away from the court, he challenged his government-appointed lawyers and accused them of being lackeys of the junta.

"Since you have been hired by the authorities you may as well do their bidding," he said as military intelligence photographers snapped away.

Few analysts believe the Ne Win relatives were seriously attempting to mount a coup, but suspect the junta took the opportunity to sideline them after their behavior and business interests became increasingly unruly and troublesome.

They also note that the high-profile case has reaped many benefits for the ruling generals, serving as a useful diversionary tactic as well as a public exhibition of their power.

"They were anxious to get public attention away from the Myriad of problems facing the nation," one long-time Yangon analyst said, pointing out that they had effectively killed "three birds with one stone". "Not only did they manage to convince the world that Ne Win no longer wields power over them -- in one single stroke they got rid of a perpetual nuisance posed by some of the family members while at the same time sending out a clear warning to doubting members of the military to stay in line -- or else."

The move not only signaled the end of the Ne Win era but also strengthened the notion that the regime which has ruled the nation for the last 14 years was consolidating its role and silenced perennial talk of splits in the junta.

The reaction Friday to news of the heavy penalties against the family, which was universally detested in Myanmar thanks to its thuggish and greedy behavior, was predictably mild.

"We had anticipated this as we knew the conspiracy charge would stick but whether these sentences will be carried out or not still remains to be seen," one observer told AFP.

Legal experts say there are three options available that could see them find a way out of their predicament, one of them involving an appeal letter from Aye Zaw Win to Myanmar's leader, senior general Than Shwe.

"Aye Zaw Win's appeal letter, which proved damning, may also save them if senior general than Shwe who is the de facto head of state decides to use his powers to pardon the convicted criminals," one lawyer said.

The nation's penal code also empowers the home minister to suspend the sentences or remit them "wholly or partially", he said.