Eight protesters, including Mandalay protest leader Htet Myat Aung, sentenced to 37 years in prison each by Myanmar junta

Mizzima The Myanmar military junta has unjustly sentenced eight protest comrades, including Mandalay non-violent protest leader and former president of the Yadanabon University Students’ Union Ko Htet Myat Aung, to 37 years in prison each, according to the Yadanabon University Students’ Union. They were sentenced to 30 years in prison for three cases under Section 23(b) of the Law Safeguarding the Prevention of Disturbance, Obstruction, and Destruction of Elections, and seven years under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, totalling 37 years each. The verdicts were handed down during a military court hearing on 27 July for cases filed at Mandalay’s No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7 police stations. Ko Htet Myat Aung, also known as “Patheingyi,” was arrested on 14 December 2025, after protesting in Mandalay against the junta-led election alongside protest leaders Dr. Tay Zar San, Ko Nan Lin, and Ko Khant Wai Phyo. Following their arrest, the junta held them in incommunicado detention. Seven months later, starting in January 2026, they were prosecuted separately in various township courts, leading to these verdicts. Protest groups previously reported that they were severely beaten during their arrest, raising grave concerns for their lives. At least 200 people have been arrested and prosecuted under the junta’s election protection law, with maximum prison sentences being handed down across different townships. The Yadanabon University Students’ Union strongly condemned the unjust sentencing of the peaceful student protesters, declaring that they will continue to fight alongside the public to secure the release of detained comrades and eradicate the military dictatorship. The military junta has not yet released any official statement regarding the sentencing. The post Eight protesters, including Mandalay protest leader Htet Myat Aung, sentenced to 37 years in prison each by Myanmar junta appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.