Nay Myo Zin, with his son (in red) outside the court on Friday. He will spend four years and four months in prison. Photo: Coconuts Media.
Six protesters who demanded the closure of a controversial Chinese-backed copper mine in central Myanmar have been jailed for four years and four months each.
The group were sentenced in Dagon Township court on Friday for their role in January protests outside the Chinese embassy in Yangon, according to Burmese-language local newspaper 7 Days Daily.
Nay Myo Zin, Tin Htut Pine, Sein Htway, Naw Ohnm Pine, San San Win and Than Swe will serve their sentences at Insein Prison.
According to the Associated Press, the activists are already serving time for previous offenses related to their activism.
The demonstrations, which led to scuffles with police, were prompted by the death of 56-year-old widow Khin Win during protests near the Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing region in December.
Protesters had been trying to stop the firm behind the mine putting up a fence on land claimed by local farmers.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners condemned Friday’s verdict.
“It’s not fair because the court ordered them to the jail for a long time because they are requesting human rights… but didn’t take any action against those who killed the farmer Daw Khin Win,” Aug Myo Kyaw from the organisation told Coconuts Yangon.
The mine, run by Chinese firm Wanbao with a Myanmar military-owned holding company, has for several years been the focus of protests from locals who say the project carries health and environmental risks.
Despite a report showing that authorities used white phosphorus to break up protests in 2012, burning several people, an investigation headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi last year advised the government to allow the mine to go ahead.
Photo: Coconuts Media
