Myanmar regime court sentences 9 anti-coup activists up to 37 years under Election Protection Law

A regime-controlled court in Mandalay has sentenced eight pro-democracy activists to 37 years in prison and a ninth activist to 27 years under the military regime’s Election Protection Law and Counter-Terrorism Law.

The convictions, handed down on Monday represent one of the harshest crackdowns yet on peaceful political dissent following the regime’s staged 2025–26 elections.

The General Strike Coordination Body (GSCB)—a major umbrella coalition formed in 2021 to coordinate non-violent anti-coup demonstrations—confirmed the heavy sentences in an official statement on Wednesday.

Closed-door trial and rights violations

Among those sentenced to 37 years is 24-year-old Htet Myat Aung, a prominent student leader, GSCB member, and former president of the Yadanabon University Students’ Union (YUSU).

Htet Myat Aung was arrested in Mandalay Region on Dec. 14, 2025, 11 days after leading a non-violent flash-mob protest calling for a public boycott of the elections in Chanmyathazi Township.

The GSCB strongly condemned the court’s decisions, revealing that the proceedings were held in secrecy without public or media access:

• Denial of Due Process: Defendants were denied fair legal representation, barred from communicating with media, and subjected to prison rights violations during their seven months of pre-trial detention.
• Secret Locations: Neither the GSCB nor university student bodies have been informed of the holding facilities or prisons where the nine activists are currently incarcerated.

“The sentencing shows that the military regime’s claim of offering peace and promise of a federal democracy are a farce,” said Nan Lin, a prominent pro-democracy activist and co-founder of the University Students’ Unions Alumni Force.

Weaponization of the Election Protection Law

The convictions were delivered under the Election Protection Law, enacted by the regime on July 29, 2025.

Designed to criminalize any boycott calls, online criticism, or public demonstrations against the regime’s 2025-26 “sham” elections, the law imposes penalties ranging from three years’ imprisonment to life in prison or the death penalty.

Regime Election Crackdown Dashboard (July 2025 – July 2026)
├── Legislation Enacted: July 29, 2025 (Min 3 years to Death Penalty)
├── Documented Convictions: At least 18 individuals
├── Total Confirmed Arrests: 84 individuals (over 400 prosecuted overall)
├── Total Formally Charged: 269 individuals
└── Maximum Sentence Recorded: 49 Years Imprisonment

Rights groups point out that while the regime in Naypyidaw claims the elections were a step toward civilian rule, the systematic imprisonment of critics exposes the process as an instrument of state control.

“Protesting a fraudulent election is an act of courage, not a crime, and no 37-year sentence from an illegitimate junta can silence the fundamental right to speak out,” stated Thinzar Shunlei Yi, executive member at Sister2Sisters and pro-democracy advocate.

Escalating political prisoner crisis

The sentencing of the nine GSCB activists highlights a broader systemic wave of arbitrary detentions across Myanmar.

According to data compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the regime has jailed 31,596 people for political reasons since the 2021 coup, with 14,590 individuals remaining in detention.

Democracy advocacy groups and student unions continue to urge the international community and regional bodies to apply direct pressure on Naypyidaw to halt arbitrary trials, nullify convictions under wartime statutes, and secure the immediate release of all political prisoners.