Relentless punitive sentences for opposition members continue

by Than Htike Oo

Saturday, 15 November 2008 13:22

Chiang Mai – The spate of sentences of dissidents and activists by the Burmese military junta continues to be relentless, with 16 more, put away in prison for terms of up to 16 years by different courts yesterday. Most of them are NLD members and the Kyauktada Township Court tried them in-camera. It sentenced Kyaw Zin Win from Dawpon Township, Kyaw Kyaw Lin, Kyi Kyi Wah to 16, 13 and 11 years in prison respectively. Nay Zar Myo Win (Dawpon) and Aung Zaw Oo (Taungyi) were handed five years in prison each. Similarly, a special court which went into session inside Insein prison sentenced Hlaingtharyar Township NLD youth members Than Zaw Myint, San Win and Thant Zin Myo to nine and-half-years in jail ach. Nge Ma, Kyaw Soe Win and Thaik Min were awarded seven and-a-half years in prison each. "The family members of these activists waited outside the prison to ascertain  their fate and requested a prison official to inquire about them over telephone. The prison official informed them about the court verdict," a family member of the activists told Mizzima. "I feel upset for my son but have no regrets. They did what they did, based on their belief and conviction and chose the way by themselves. They are suffering because they chose this path," father of Nay Zar Myo Win said. Moreover, Insein Special Court sentenced Shwe Maung, Wunna Aung and Zaw Win from Mandalay Division NLD to four years imprisonment each on the charge of 'inducing crime against public tranquility'. They were arrested because they joined the saffron revolution and prayer meetings last year for the release of all political prisoners. Similarly, the  South Dagon Township court sentenced Tin Win and Nyi Nyi Min to two years in prison each. They were arrested in April 2008 after they protested against the junta's referendum to approve the constitution during Thingyan (water festival) for wearing T-shirt with a 'NO' sign. Ironically, among the activists sentenced today, San Win, Thant Zin Myo and Kyaw Soe Win were  already been given prison terms  on November 13 and were handed out fresh jail terms on November 14. < Prev   Next >