A total of 253 people have been prosecuted by military courts over the past seven months in Sagaing Region.
Ten were given death sentences, over 100 were handed life imprisonment and eight were given infinite jail sentences, The Irrawaddy has learned.
The regime imposed martial law in 14 Sagaing townships in February, including Indaw, Banmauk, Kawlin, Pinlebu, Salingyi, Yinmabin, Khin-U, Taze, Ye-U, Shwebo, Wetlet and Ayadaw, under the direct control of military commanders and the Monywa-based Northwestern Command chief.
The detainees were prosecuted under counterterrorism, sedition and narcotics laws.
The parents of a resistance fighter were given four years in prison with labor under the Counterterrorism Law for allegedly failing to report that their son had joined Monywa People’s Defense Force and for allegedly donating to resistance groups.
Ko Thaik Tun Oo from the Myanmar Political Prisoners Network said: “Political detainees are usually charged under the Counterterrorism Law, though they are also prosecuted with other criminal charges, like murder. Detainees charged under the Narcotics Law were given infinite prison sentences.”
The military tribunal in Indaw Township handed death sentences to three men and a woman under the Counterterrorism Law on August 18.
Eight people were given infinite jail sentences under the 1993 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law for illegal possession and use of drugs.
Offenses include spreading “false” news, possession of weapons and ties to unlawful associations.
Pro-junta Telegram channels said those who were given death sentences bought, sold or transported weapons for “terrorists” or committed violence.
Under Article 19 of the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, the accused have the right to a defense and appeal but this is denied by the regime, said lawyers.
A lawyer acting for political detainees in Mandalay said: “Detainees are normally charged under the Counterterrorism Law. No crimes are investigated and everyone is prosecuted under charges which carry a minimum of 10 years in prison. The regime has guidelines about the degree of punishment in specific areas and if there is any evidence, detainees are given life imprisonment or a death sentence.”
Defendants are denied legal representation and the right to call witnesses in military courts, said lawyers for political prisoners.
Sagaing prisoners have been charged under the Counterterrorism Law for cooperating and supplying resistance groups, failing to report resistance movements, treating wounded fighters and providing accommodation.
Breaching curfew has led to a minimum of three months in prison with labor.
Teachers working with the civilian National Unity Government, trainee resistance fighters and social media users trying to persuade civil servants to join the civil disobedience movement have been jailed for life or given death sentences.
