Oct 10, 2007 (DVB), Five Pakokku residents, who were arrested last month as part of the government crackdown on demonstrations, have been given long-term prison sentences.

U Pike Ko, a member of the National League for Democracy, and four other residents of Pakokku were arrested by government officials on suspicion of passing information to foreign media on the government crackdown on the first monk-led protests, but were charged in court with damaging private property.

According to a Thayet prison official, speaking on condition of anonymity, the five were sent to Thayet prison after their arrest and brought before the prison court on 24 and 26 September. They were found to have violated section 6 (1) of the Public Property Protection Act, and given long-term prison sentences. Though the specific length of the jail terms was not reported, the maximum sentence specified in the Act is seven years.

Reporting by Maung Too