Military junta sentences Mandalay protest leader Ko Htet Myat Aung and 8 others to 37 years in prison each

Photo – Ko Htet Myat Aung, former chairman of the Yadanarpon University Students' Union and Mandalay public protest leader, staging a guerrilla protest in Mandalay city. (Yadanarpon University Students' Union) Maung Khet Nye (July 29) MIZZIMA. – The coup military junta has unjustly sentenced Ko Htet Myat Aung, a non-violent protest leader in Mandalay and former chairman of the Yadanarpon University Students' Union, along with eight other protest comrades, to 37 years in prison each, according to the Yadanarpon University Students' Union. They were sentenced to 30 years in prison for three counts under Section 23 (b) of the Election Winning Prevention Law and seven years in prison under Section 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law, totaling 37 years in prison each. These cases, filed by the Mandalay City Police Stations No. (3), No. (6), and No. (7) as plaintiffs, were sentenced yesterday (July 27) in a trial by the military junta's court. Ko Htet Myat Aung, also known as "Puthin Gyi," protested against the election held by the military junta in Mandalay city along with protest leaders Dr. Thet Zayar San, Ko Nan Lin, and Ko Khant Wai Phyo, and was arrested on December 14, 2025. After arresting them, the military junta cut off their communication and detained them. Seven months after their arrest, starting from January 2026, they were separately prosecuted in courts in various townships, and then sentenced as they are now. It was also reported by protest groups that they were beaten during their arrest, raising concerns for their lives. At least over 200 people have been arrested and prosecuted under the military junta's Election Protection Law, and they are being sentenced to the maximum prison terms after being separated by townships. The Yadanarpon University Students' Union has strongly condemned the unjust sentencing of students and citizens who protested peacefully, and has announced that they will continue to fight alongside the people for the release of their arrested comrades and the eradication of the military dictatorship. There has been no official statement from the military junta regarding this sentencing yet. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo