Writer Maung Thway Chun has been sentenced to two years in prison plus labour, which is the maximum sentence imposed under Section 505 (c) of the Penal Code of Myanmar for incitement to conflicts.

Mingin Township Court in Sagaing Region passed the verdict on Monday after a three-month court hearing. The convict said he would consult with his lawyer whether he should seek appeal or not.

"I have nothing special to say. It goes as it is. I want to say that freedom of expression is dying down in this age of democracy," said Maung Thway Chun.

Advocate Aye Paing, lawyer for the representing the convicted nationalist writer, said his client’s sentence was severe.

"He made such a remark during a sermon-delivering ceremony. With the usage of a word, he received a prison sentence, which is very severe. It was not a political talk. It was not a canvass carried out by political parties either," said the lawyer.

MRTV-4 Reverend Monk U Kitsanawbasa held a ceremony for showing gratitude to the native place in Kyauktan Village, Mingin Township. During the event, Maung Thway Chun gave a talk on protection of race and religion.

Naing Naing Zaw on behalf of the township management committee filed a lawsuit against Maung Thway Chun, accusing him of inciting conflicts via his speech at the ceremony.

Maung Thway Chun played a leading role in the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion (known as Ma-ba-tha in Myanmar language), which has been declared as an unlawful association by the government. He served as chief editor in magazines and journals published by Ma-ba-tha.

After the controversial association was abolished, Maung Thway Chun tried to register a new political party named Patriotic Unity Party with him as chairman. But it was turned down by the Election Commission.