Four activists imprisoned in Myanmar
YANGON (Reuters) - A Myanmar court jailed three activists on Friday for defaming the military during anti-war protests, amid growing concern about a clamp-down on civil society.
A judge in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, found two men and one woman guilty of defamation, sentencing them to six months in prison and a fine of $320 each.
Lum Zawng, Nang Pu, and Zau Jat took part in demonstrations in war-torn Kachin in April, when an army offensive against ethnic minority guerrillas prompted more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
“They used the word ‘military’ in their speech,” said Doi Bu, a lawyer for one of the defendants, referring to speeches they made at the protest.
“‘The military doesn’t allow people to leave the conflict zone’,” she said, giving examples of what they had said.
“‘The military blocks people from the conflict zone’, and ‘the military is threatening people’.”
A judge in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, found two men and one woman guilty of defamation, sentencing them to six months in prison and a fine of $320 each.
Lum Zawng, Nang Pu, and Zau Jat took part in demonstrations in war-torn Kachin in April, when an army offensive against ethnic minority guerrillas prompted more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
“They used the word ‘military’ in their speech,” said Doi Bu, a lawyer for one of the defendants, referring to speeches they made at the protest.
“‘The military doesn’t allow people to leave the conflict zone’,” she said, giving examples of what they had said.
“‘The military blocks people from the conflict zone’, and ‘the military is threatening people’.”
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