Provisional Government Sentences 8 Including Mandalay Public Strike Leader Ko Htet Myat Aung to 37 Years in Prison

AYEYARWADDY TIMES July 29 Eight strike comrades, including Mandalay public strike leader and former Rata-tha-ka Chairman Ko Htet Myat Aung, have been unjustly sentenced to 37 years in prison by the provisional government, which has transformed from the coup military group, according to a statement released yesterday, July 28, by the relevant student union. Ko Htet Myat Aung, who has been a leader in non-violent strike protests on the streets of Mandalay since the military coup, along with eight other strike comrades, were sentenced by the provisional government's court on July 27 for three charges that were unjustly filed against them. The provisional government arrested them violently on December 14 of last year, and after a period of no contact, they were put on trial from January of this year. They were then charged under numerous laws, including Section 23 (b) of the Law Protecting Against Election Interference and Destruction, and Section 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law. Subsequently, after Ko Htet Myat Aung and the other 8 strike comrades were unjustly arrested and detained for 7 months, the provisional government's Police Stations No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7 filed charges under Section 23 (b) of the Law Protecting Against Election Interference and Destruction and Section 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law, resulting in a total unjust sentence of 37 years in prison. The Rata-tha-ka has strongly condemned the unjust sentencing by the provisional government, which has transformed from the coup military group, against the protesting students and citizens who are peacefully demanding democracy and freedom. Furthermore, Rata-tha-ka has announced that it will continue to strive for the release of the comrades, including Mandalay strike leader Ko Htet Myat Aung, who are unjustly detained, and will fight to eradicate the "three militaries" – the military government, the military regime, and the military bureaucracy – which are the source of injustice, together with the public. Photo: Rata-tha-ka