They will be held until they are 18, among 16 others sentenced to prison terms in Sagaing.
By RFA Burmese
Myanmar’s junta issued prison sentences to 20 people, including four minors, residents told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. Most of the accused were sentenced under acts of terrorism in northern Myanmar.
On Monday, Sagaing region’s Monywa court sentenced three minors to be detained in a training school over two hours away in Mandalay until the age of 18.
RFA could not confirm the exact ages of Sai Thiha Tun, Pyae Phyo Aung and Zin Nyi Nyi Tun, but a pro-military channel on the messaging app Telegram announced the group is being prosecuted for criticizing the military online and protesting.
On Wednesday, a court in Kale township sentenced an underage girl to two years in the same training school under similar charges.
Under the country’s Child Rights Law, children can be detained in detention centers for a minimum of two years, or until they are 18, if the court finds they have no guardians or if their “character has deteriorated” after committing a crime.
The accused are not able to hire lawyers because they come from poor areas, a political activist told RFA.
“They didn’t hire lawyers even when they were in custody or during the court hearing. This is because the costs of judicial proceedings while in custody are quite high,” they said, declining to be named for security reasons.
“Most of the people arrested are from the villages. A few from downtown were arrested for riding motorcycles.”
On Monday, the Monywa court also sentenced five men to four years in prison for violating counter-terrorism laws, including organizing, hosting or concealing terrorist organizations.
The group was accused of associating with and supporting the National Unity Government and local People’s Defense Forces.
Monywa’s court sentenced another six men on Tuesday to spend four to 11 years in prison for alleged acts of terrorism, specifically with a local People’s Defense Force.
On the same day, a court in Ye-U district sentenced another two men from Taze township to terms ranging from 10 to 15 years.
All 20 defendants sentenced this week were arrested last year and have been awaiting trial in prison, according to Monywa Township political activists.
Last week, two men and a woman were sentenced to two years in prison by Sagaing township’s court under counter-terrorism laws for associating with illegal groups.
Calls to Sagaing region’s junta spokesperson Sai Naing Naing Kyaw seeking comment on the sentences went unanswered.
Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
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