Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – Thirty three years imprisonment was handed out to three activists involved in the saffron revolution including a son of 'Zomi National Congress' (ZNC) Chairman and an ethnic Chin leader Pu Cin Sian Thang atoday by a special court in session inside Insein prison.

The three activists were accused of taking part in protest demanding national reconciliation and arrested at a teashop in Rangoon on 28 October 2007. After being detained for over one year in Insein prison, his son Kan Lan Khote a.k.a. Kyaw Soe and Tin Htu Aung were sentenced to 33 years in prison each and another activist Kan Lan Khwar a.k.a. Khwar Pee was given eight years in jail.

"The monks staged peaceful protests during the saffron revolution. The authorities arrested not only the protesters but also bystanders and spectators. This shows their true colour and nature. It is unfair and unlawful to give them such long prison terms", Pu Cin Sian Thang told Mizzima.

The three activists were charged on eight counts including under sections 17/20 of the Printers Act, sections 13(1) of the Immigration Emergency Provisions Act, section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and section 505(b) of the Penal Code (inducing crime against public tranquility).

Pu Cin Sian Thang is Chairman of ZNC, and an MP-elect elected from Tiddim, Chin State constituency and a member of the 'Committee Representing People's Parliament (CRPP) which comprises of MPs- elected in 1990 general election. It was formed in 1998.

Similarly nine activists hailing from Bogale, Pathein and Myaungmya were sentenced to lengthy prison terms including 24 years in prison on November 11 by Insein prison court. Two of them from Bogale were given further prison terms under section 13(1) of the Immigration Emergency Provision Act.

Thein Zaw's prison term was increased to 18 years from the previous 10 and Thiha Thet Tin's prison term was increased to 13 from the previous eight years.

"I have no idea why they gave increased prison terms to them on charges under section 13(1) of the Immigration Act. We know nothing about their cases as we were not allowed to attend the court proceedings", Daw Hmwe, aunt of Thiha Thet Tin, said.