Student Activist Arrested in Mandalay for Mid-Year Graffiti Protest

By Zarni Mann 26 December 2015

MANDALAY — A student activist from Mandalay was arrested on Friday for spray-painting anti-government slogans on the grounds of Yadanabon University almost six months ago, the student’s friend told The Irrawaddy.

Ye Yint Paing Hmu allegedly took part in spray-painting messages calling on the government to resign and demanding the release of students and their supporters detained during the nationwide demonstrations against the National Education Law earlier this year.

“He called us and said the police are sending him to Obo Prison and we have lost contact since then,” said Kaung Zaw Hein, a friend of the accused.

Four students were arrested in July over the protest and found guilty of unlawful assembly and incitement charges. Three of the students were released on Tuesday, while Naing Ye Wai, president of the Yadanabon University Student Union, is serving an additional three months and remains in prison.

On Thursday, the three released students, Aung San Oo, Jit Tu and Nyan Lin Htet, said they had been barred from reenrolling at Yadanabon University.