September 27th, 2022
The military council has sentenced seven women to prison for participating in peaceful protests against the military coup in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, according to reports.
The junta-appointed court in the township has sentenced a total of eight people – one man and seven women – to prison for their participation in protests against the military coup, according to locals.
“Seven women – most of them from Sankywei village. U Thein Tun were convicted of illegal possession of weapons, driving cars without a license and participating in the protest,” said a man who took part in the protests.
The regime’s court on September 20th sentenced the seven women to one year and six months each under Section 505 (A) for allegedly participating in the anti-coup protests.
In addition, a man named U Thein Tun, who was arrested along with the seven women, was also sentenced to two years and seven months in prison, said a man who participated in the protests.
U Thein Tun received the prison sentence – one year for illegal possession of weapons and one month for driving cars without a license, in addition to one year and six months for participating in the protests.
In July this year, military council soldiers stopped the protesters on their way back to Seikmu (Hsengtaung) village in Hpakant Township and arrested them. Subsequently, the eight of them were sentenced to the respective prison terms by the Hpakant township court.
The military council has imprisoned more than 30 people for taking part in protests against the military coup [in the township], said a protest leader from Hpakant township.
Sent by NMG.