Sittwe district court sentenced Dr Aye Maung and Wai Hin Aung to 20 years for high treason under Section 122 of the Penal Code and two years for incitement under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code concurrently on March 19.

They were sentenced 20-year prison term as the sentences will be served concurrently. They can appeal against their sentences.

Lawyer San Shwe Maung, who is representing Dr Aye Maung, said, “Both men are sentenced to 20 years for high treason under Section 122 of the Penal Code and two years for incitement under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code. But the sentences will be served concurrently. They can make appeal at State Justice Court and Union Justice Court step by step. If they don’t satisfy with the court rule, we can make appeal in line with law. The officials charged them with three cases for speeches given at a public event in Rakhine State. The charge under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act was withdrawn. We requested the State Justice Court to overrule the charge but the State Justice Court endorsed it.”

They were charged with Section 122 and Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, and Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act after giving speeches at a literature talk to mark the 122nd anniversary of the fall of the Rakhine kingdom to the Konbaung dynasty held at Yathedaung on January 15. Authorities detained author Wai Hin Aung from his house on January 16 and Dr Aye Maung at his house in Sittwe on January 18.

They had been faced legal trial for over one year and they are freed from the indictment under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

“I heard that they can make appeal. Whatever we don’t accept that kind of decision. However we will seek advice from experts to handle the issue in line with law. The verdict was unfair as the sentences given to the MP and author are showing how we will have experiences in politics,” said Aung Htay, Chairman of Sittwe’s Arakan National Party (ANP).

Authorities deployed many security members in the court hearing and more than 200 locals are waited in front of the court to hear the decision. Some shouted words showing their disapprovals after the verdict.

“The politics is frightening and the verdict will decide whether we have federal democracy or not if we persuade the people in political ways. How the people react to the decision. Will they tie another hand if they tide one hand already,” said Dr Aye Maung.