Lwen Ann Phawn, a former reporter from Shwe Phi Myay News Agency (SPM) has been sentenced to two years in prison, and Mai Aung Thet Oo, a Ta'ang Students and Youth Union (TSYU) staff member, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in Lashio township prison court in Lashio, Shan State on 6 April.

Lwen Ann Phawn, a former female reporter from Shwe Phi Myay (SPM) news agency based in the northern part of Lashio township, has been sentenced to two years in imprisonment under section 505 (A) of the penal code. Mai Aung Thet Oo, a Ta’ang student, and youth organization (TSYU) staff member, has been sentenced to seven years in prison under Section 52 (A) of the Terrorism Act.

Criticism has been voiced over the sentencing.

“It is unacceptable that a reporter was arrested for just doing her reporting tasks. The Military Council is violating human rights in the region, and then they are also trying to censor the news about arbitrary arrests,” said an editor from Shwe Phi Myay news agency.

The military council arrested Mai Aung Thet Oo on 25 September 2021. Lwen Ann Phawn was arrested by 30 junta troops on 26 September in Lashio township.

Earlier, Mai Lone Thein Oo, who was arrested on 25 May 2021 in Muse township, was sentenced to five years in prison on 22 December.