Two anti-regime activists sentenced to 20 years in Yangon
The University Students’ Unions Alumni Force announced on Wednesday that two of its members were sentenced to 17 years each on terrorism charges by a regime court in Yangon’s Botahtaung Township on June 26. Paing Phyo Min and Shein Wai Aung had previously received three-year sentences from the Insein Prison court in February for alleged sedition, bringing their total prison terms to 20 years each.
“It’s typical of the regime to manipulate laws and judicial institutions to oppress those who dared to question its authority,” Lin Htet, the spokesperson of the University Students’ Unions Alumni Force, told DVB. BBC Burmese reported the two activists are currently being held at Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison.
The two were arrested by police in a house during an overnight guest list inspection in Yangon Region in October. Sources told DVB that the regime has arrested over 60 student union members for their anti-coup activism and more than 20 of them are still in detention. Three All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) members have received life sentences.
Alleged cover-up of political prisoners’ deaths by officials
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) has accused regime prison officials of trying to cover up the death of inmates, especially political prisoners. This followed the death of Myint Wai, a member of the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) party, from a ruptured appendix in Mandalay’s Obo Prison on Tuesday.
“Instead of addressing its shortcomings, the Department of Prisons is trying to create the impression that no deaths are occurring by blocking the flow of information about deceased political prisoners,” Thaik Tun Oo, the PPNM spokesperson, told DVB, without elaborating on the matter. The PPNM claimed that 15 political prisoners have died in prison so far this year.
For each political prisoner, the regime’s Prisons Department has allocated a monthly healthcare budget of just 1,100 MMK ($0.24 USD), according to the PPNM. It has documented that at least 130 political prisoners have died in custody. The Assistance Association of Political Prisoners has documented that 22,192 people arrested for opposing the 2021 coup remain in detention.
Rumours dismissed of Kachin leader’s detention in China
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Spokesperson Naw Bu told DVB that the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Chairperson N’Ban La is “doing all right,” dismissing rumours that he was placed under house arrest while receiving medical treatment in China. The rumours have been circulated by pro-regime social media accounts this week.
“Those who don’t want us around are spreading false news,” said Naw Bu, who added that N’Ban La is not in China and that there have been no directives or actions taken by Beijing against the KIA. The battle over control of Bhamo District in southern Kachin has been ongoing between the KIA and regime forces since December. Fighting between the two sides in Hpakant Township has continued since April.
Reuters reported that China, which has a near-monopoly over the processing of heavy rare earths, has threatened to halt buying the minerals mined in KIA-controlled territory unless it stops trying to seize full control of Bhamo. The KIA has seized 14 towns in Kachin, as well as Mabein in northern Shan State, since it launched its state-wide offensive against regime forces in March 2024.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Interim Executive Council (IEC) and residents of Mawchi town told DVB that five members of a family, including two children, were killed and six were injured by an airstrike in Hpasawng Township on Wednesday. Mawchi is located 84 miles (135 km) southeast of the state capital Loikaw.
“The military is using fear as a weapon to terrorize civilians,” Khun Banyar, the IEC second secretary, told DVB. Seven buildings, including a church, were severely damaged. A previous airstrike killed seven civilians on June 25, according to sources in Mawchi, which came under Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) control in January 2024.
CHINLAND—Residents in Falam Township told DVB that three civilians were killed during fighting between the Chin Brotherhood’s Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and the Chin National Army (CNA), which is the leading armed force of the Chinland Council, July 4-6.
The National Unity Government (NUG) and National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) called on the Chin factions to hold talks. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that an estimated 20,000 civilians have been displaced.
MANDALAY—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported that two children were killed and eight others were injured by airstrikes in Mogok Township on Wednesday. Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Mandalay, came under TNLA control on July 23, 2024.
Airstrikes killed three residents and injured eight in Mogok on Tuesday. The TNLA claimed that airstrikes have killed five and injured 22 in June. Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, told the media that they would attend a third round of talks with the regime in China next month.
YANGON—Two former political prisoners — Buddhist monk Pannasiha, known as Shwenyawah Sayadaw after the monastery he led, and writer Maung Thar Cho — died on Thursday, according to friends. They were both arrested by the regime on Feb. 1, 2021 for “sedition” and released under an amnesty on Nov. 17, 2022.
“The harsh conditions in prison caused them to pass away prematurely,” a lay disciple of the monk told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Pannasiha, 60, suffered from liver disease and was reportedly denied travel for medical treatment abroad. The cause of death has not been disclosed for Maung Thar Cho, 67.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,470 MMK)
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