Six students given prison sentences for distributing leaflets

DVB ( Feb 23-24 )

A court in Rangoon sentenced six Burmese students to long-term imprisonments for allegedly distributing leaflets denouncing the ‘roadmap’ plan of Burma’s military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The sentences were passed at a trial by Eastern District court of Rangoon Division on 20 February.

Ko Nanda Sit Aung and Ko Zaw Linn Tun were each given 17 years, Ko Kyaw Soe Moe 12 years, Ko Lwin Ko Latt, Ko Kyaw Kyaw and Ko Han Win Aung were each given 7 years. They were charged with Acts 6, 5J, 17 (1), 13 (1) AND 13 (5).

Ko Kyaw Soe Moe’s wife Ma Myint Aye said her husband was arrested on 26 September with the promise that he would be released within two or three days. She was six months pregnant when he was arrested and she is now struggling to survive with a child without the help of her husband.

Pro-democracy activists inside, outside Burma denounced the action of the junta insisting that all citizens should have the right to participate in political activities and express their opinions freely for national reconciliation to emerge. They also warned that there could be no peace and prosperity in Burma as long as there is military dictatorship in Burma.

It is the first time someone was given a 17 year sentence for denouncing the ‘roadmap’ plan of the junta in Burma which is designed to propagate military dictatorship in Burma.