Chiang Mai - Four 'National League for Democracy' (NLD) members from Yenanchaung, Chauk and Magwe of Magwe Division and seven people from Pakokku arrested in connection with the September unrest last year were sentenced to various prison terms ranging from two to nine years by Judge Daw Soe Soe Khet.
The accused were produced in court on Wednesday inside Theyet prison where the 11 activists are being held and sentenced.
Yenanchaung NLD Organizing Committee member Thar Cho, Chauk NLD Youth Wing member Tun Tun Nyein and Magwe Township NLD Secretary Myint Oo were charged under section 505(b) of the Penal Code (inducing crime against public tranquility) and sentenced to two years in jail and another 6 months prison term for joining an unlawful assembly under section 143 of the Penal Code.
These prison terms will run concurrently. Tuition teacher Htay Win from Natmauk was sentenced to two years' prison term under section 505(b) of the Penal Code (inducing crime against public tranquility).
"I felt it is unfair as he is innocent. He was just following protesting monks while they were marching in procession. He is my eldest son. I feel extremely sorry to hear the sentence. Please don't neglect and ignore my son," mother of Tun Tun Nyein said.
"He was sentenced to two and-a-half years in prison. He took part in the September unrest. We have been in and out of the prison since 1988. So this is not much different for us," Ko Kyaw San Oo, younger brother of Thar Cho, said.
Common people Nay La, Thar Aung a.k.a. Nyunt Shwe, Sein Linn, Khin Maung Win, Pho Ni, Nyein Chan who were taken away from their homes on September 7 last year for questioning were sentenced to two years in prison and Thant Shin was sentenced to nine years respectively by the judge.
Thant Shin was sentenced to seven in prison under section 5(j) of the 'Emergency Provisions Act', two years in prison under section 147 of the Penal Code (rioting). Other people were charged and sentenced under sections 147 and 143 of the Penal Code. Pho Ni and Ko Nyein Chan were sentenced under section 6(1) of the Public Property Protection Act.
"They were sentenced for serious crimes that they didn't commit. They fought for truth and justice. I feel sorry to hear that they were sentenced to such harsh prison terms for crimes they did not commit," Zar Ni, a colleague of the persons, who fled from Burma, said.
