Oct 3, 2008 (DVB), Former student Myo Lwin Oo, who was arrested last September for allegedly helping distribute a statement, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Tuesday, his lawyer Than Zaw Aung said.

29-year old Myo Lwin Oo (also known as Thar Gyi) was sentenced to seven years under the Printing Act and two years under Act 505(b) for damaging public order.

The sentence was passed by judge Daw Mya Mya Swe of North Dagon township court in Rangoon.

Than Zaw Aung insisted that his client was sentenced without being found guilty.

"He was accused of abetting 88 generation student Ko Hla Myo Naung in issuing a statement and was arrested," Than Zaw Aung said.

"It wasn't proven that he printed documents and as far as section 505(b) is concerned, he wasn’t involved in causing public alarm or damaging public order either."

The case was brought against Myo Lwin Oo by township police chief Han Sein, Than Zaw Aung said.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet