A civil court under the military junta sentenced seven locals from Homalin and Paungbyin Townships in the upper Sagaing Region to long prison terms under the Counter-Terrorism Act in the last week of June, according to sources.
According to Homalin residents, Ko Nyi Nyi from Kho Pe Wa and Ko Ba Din from Homalin Wards in were sentenced to long prison terms for supporting the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) on social media and allegedly failing to report information about the PDF despite knowing about them.
A resident of Homalin said, “They were arrested for posting on social media; they did nothing serious. I just heard it was about giving information to the PDFs or something like that.”
The junta court sentenced Ko Nyi Nyi to four years in prison with labor under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Act and a further four years under Section 52(b) (to be served consecutively) for supporting the NUG and the PDF on social media and failing to report information about the PDFs.
Ko Ba Din was reportedly sentenced to a total of 13 years under various sections of the Counter-Terrorism Act for providing financial support to the NUG and the PDF and failing to report information.
Similarly, five people from Ingyin Myaing Ward in Paungbyin – Ko San Lin, Ma Khin Mar Lwin and Ko Zaw Win Thein; Ma Thae Su Win from Kyun Shwe Wah Ward and Ma Zin Mar Phyu from Kone Auk Taung village – were each sentenced to five years imprisonment with labor under the Counter-Terrorism Act for providing information to and supporting the PDF.
According to records, the military junta arrested more than 20 people in Homalin Township between 2021 and 2024. Most of them were arrested for supporting and providing information to the NUG and the PDF.
Sent by Shanni Voice.