Myanmar courts hand up to 37‑year jail terms to protest activists

Myanmar activists 37‑year sentences election boycott Mandalay protest counterterrorism law

Myanmar courts sentenced nine activists for a December 4 flash protest in downtown Mandalay that urged a boycott of the December 2025‑January 2026 elections and opposed mandatory conscription. Eight activists, including prominent figure Htet Myat Aung, received 37‑year prison terms, while a ninth activist was sentenced to 27 years. The convictions were based on the country's electoral law and a counter‑terrorism law, according to May Hnin, spokesperson for the Anti‑Junta Forces Coordination Committee‑Mandalay.

The activists said they will not appeal the verdicts, believing the sentences will not be overturned. The military‑backed government has not publicly commented. The sentences come after a July 2025 law that bans speech, organizing, incitement or leafleting intended to disrupt the electoral process, under which more than 200 people were charged ahead of the election, which observers described as neither free nor fair.

Entities

Anti‑Junta Forces Coordination Committee‑Mandalay · Htet Myat Aung · May Hnin · Myanmar · Union Solidarity and Development Party

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The activists were arrested on December 4 after staging a flash protest in downtown Mandalay. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The protest called for a boycott of the elections scheduled between December 25, 2025 and January 25, 2026 and opposed mandatory conscription. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Eight activists received 37‑year sentences and one activist received a 27‑year sentence. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Nine activists were sentenced by Myanmar courts to prison terms of up to 37 years. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The convictions were under Myanmar's electoral law and counterterrorism law. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The military‑backed government has not publicly commented on the sentences. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] May Hnin, spokesperson for the Anti‑Junta Forces Coordination Committee‑Mandalay, said the sentences aim to instill fear and secure the military’s hold on power. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Activist Htet Myat Aung was among those sentenced. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · www.aljazeera.com

Sources

Myanmar court sentences activists to 37 years over election protest - Antigua Tribune – Daily Antigua & Caribbean News, Global Headlines & Insights [antiguatribune.com]

about 2 months ago

Myanmar court sentences activists to 37 years over election protest - Jamaica Inquirer – Daily Jamaica News [jamaicainquirer.com]

about 2 months ago

Myanmar court sentences activists to 37 years over election protest | Barbados Gazette – Barbados & Caribbean News [barbadosgazette.com]

about 2 months ago

Myanmar court sentences activists to 37 years over election protest [www.aljazeera.com]

about 2 months ago