Anti-terrorism policeman sentenced to 26 years in a Myanmar prison

An Anti-Terrorism Police lance corporal who provided close security during the trips of Myanmar’s state leaders under the National League for Democracy-led government, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Han Lin Myint’s sentences are for the combination of three cases, sources close to him, who wished to remain nameless for security reasons, told RFA on Tuesday.

Myint was sentenced to 20 years in prison under Section 122 (1) of the Penal Code for treason and rebellion, three years under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code and three years under the Police Disciplinary Law.

The court’s verdicts were handed down in May by Yangon Eastern District Court, Thingangyun township Court and the Police Court.

Han Lin Myint appealed against the 20-year term for treason and rebellion but the Yangon Regional Court rejected the appeal last Wednesday, friends and sources close to his family told RFA.

The lance corporal was arrested in Yangon at the end of May 2021 after his involvement in the anti-coup Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), according to a source close to him who also wished to remain anonymous.

Han Lin Myint is currently being held in Yangon’s Insein Prison and is not in good health, the sources told RFA.

The shadow National Unity Government announced last April that nearly 3,000 policemen had participated in CDM activities since the coup on Feb.1, 2021.

According to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) 15,206 people have been arrested since the coup, with 12,109 still detained and 3,075 released.