BANGKOK (AP) – A 36-year-old man named Nay Thway has been sentenced to seven years of hard labor in military-controlled Myanmar for his criticism of the government's plans to hold elections in December. This sentencing, reported by state-run media on Wednesday, marks the first known conviction under a new election law that aims to target anyone seen as opposing or disrupting the elections.
The conviction stems from a Facebook post Nay Thway made on August 25, which has since been removed. In his post, he shared surveillance footage of a robbery, criticizing the military government for prioritizing electoral plans over public safety. The Taunggyi township court in eastern Shan state sentenced him to the maximum penalty for the offense of attempting to undermine the elections. Under the new law, violations can lead to severe penalties, including the death sentence.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Nay Thway will appeal the decision, and no information has been disclosed regarding any legal representation he may have had during the trial. His sentencing comes in the context of a broader crackdown on dissent following the military’s seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in 2021, which unleashed significant popular opposition that has escalated into a civil conflict.
Critics of the military-backed election plan denounce it as a facade intended to legitimize the military's takeover of the government. Multiple opposition groups, including armed resistance factions, have expressed their intent to disrupt the upcoming elections. The Union Election Commission has stated that approximately 60 parties, including the military-supported Union Solidarity and Development Party, have registered to participate in the elections set to commence on December 28. Recently, the commission revoked registration and dissolved four political parties that failed to meet the minimum membership and office requirements.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party was one of the political entities dissolved earlier in 2023. Suu Kyi, now 80 years old, is currently serving a total of 27 years in prison following a series of prosecutions widely viewed as politically motivated by the military regime. Reports from the main opposition group, the National Unity Government, indicate that Suu Kyi is in declining health; however, the military has countered these claims, asserting that she is in good health.
The troubling developments in Myanmar, particularly regarding the new election law and the harsh sentencing of critics, emphasize the ongoing challenges to democracy and civil liberties in the country. As the military government prepares for elections amidst widespread dissent and opposition, the situation remains precarious for both political activists and the general populace.
