Six young anti-coup activists and a taxi driver in Yangon were sentenced to 10 years in prison by a military Eastern District tribunal on January 27, according to a close friend.

Ko Zin Lin, Win Htet Mar, Thura Aung, Win Htike Ko Ko, Min Hein Thu and Phyo Hein Kyaw, who were actively involved in the Spring Revolution, were charged under Section 395 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) in connection with the robbery of the World Treasure Bank (GTB) in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon on July 15.

Ko Lin Lin Htike, a taxi driver hired by the six of them, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour under Section 395 of the Criminal Code and Section 114 of the Criminal Procedure support code.

“As for my comrades, I am proud of them. They have been able to play an effective role with the people in the revolution. The fascist army seemed to think it was safe to imprison these young activists. They are afraid of young people who are still rebellious,” one of their friends commented.

They are being prosecuted by two World Treasure Bank branches in Mayangone and South Okkalapa, and a Western District Court has not yet ruled on the case.

The six anti-coup activists and the taxi driver were arrested on September 19 at their respective homes.

Ma Win Htet Mar (b) Amar is the former chair of a Pabedan local township branch of the Youth for a New Society activist group and Ko Zin Lin and Ko Phyo Hein Kyaw are from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions.