May 11, 2004

The Burmese junta sentenced five activists, including some former political prisoners, to long term imprisonments on May 7, 2004.

The former political prisoners had participated in Burma's famous pro-democracy movement in 1988 and already endured imprisonments ranging from 5 to 20 years. U Ne Min had been sentenced to 20 year terms under the former State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), accused of reporting erroneous information on Burma to foreign media.

Military intelligence arrested these five activists three months ago, alleging they had made contact with unlawful associations in exile. The five activists, listed below, were sentenced at a special court created in Insein prison, ten days prior to the Burmese junta's so-called National Convention.

Maung Maung Latt 12 Years
Paw Lwin ` 12 Years
Ne Min 15 Years
Ye Thiha 7 Years
Ne Lin Aung (aka) Yan Naing 22 Years

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)