Nov 16, 2007 (DVB), Six activists given long-term prison sentences for attending May Day celebrations at the American Centre in Rangoon are to appeal their sentence, their lawyer said yesterday.
The six men, Thurein Aung, Wai Linn, Nyi Nyi Zaw, Kyaw Kyaw, Kyaw Min and Myo Min, were each sentenced to between 20 and 28 years' imprisonment in early September on charges of discrediting the government, violating immigration laws and engaging with unlawful organisations.
All six were sentenced to 20 years under section 124 (a) of the penal code on sedition, while Thurein Aung, Wai Linn, Kyaw Min and Myo Min were given an additional five-year sentence under section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and a further three years for immigration offences.
Aung Thein, the group's lawyer, said that they would challenge the sentences.
"We have submitted an appeal for Ko Thurein Aung and his colleagues’ sentence to [Rangoon] divisional court," Aung Thein said.
"We are not sure if they are going to agree to hear the appeal , in fact, we are even expecting them to find some grounds to reject it. But we will take this case higher to the central court if they reject it."
Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet
