Sentenced to three years in prison for incitement, Paletwa man files appeal

By DMG 30 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 April 2022, Paletwa, Chin State 

Ko Tin Tun Aung, a Paletwa resident who was sentenced to three years in prison under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code earlier this month, appealed his sentence to the district court in Paletwa on April 29, according to family members. 

The 36-year-old was found guilty of incitement under Section 505(a) and sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour on April 5. His team lodged its appeal on Friday, seeking to have his sentence reduced. A decision as to whether the appeal will be accepted is expected on May 13, said U Min Aung, an elder brother of Ko Tin Tun Aung. 

“The township court sentenced him to three years in prison in connection with the case. So we appealed to the district court to reduce his sentence,” U Min Aung told DMG. 

Ko Tin Tun Aung was arrested on December 28 after telling the Arakan State-based media outlet Western News that a white flag had been seen flying over a hill where a military battalion was stationed in Paletwa Township. Ko Tin Tun Aung was charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code by Captain Tun Tun Naing from the Myanmar military on March 17. 

The Paletwa Township court sentenced Ko Tin Tun Aung to three years in prison with hard labour on April 5 and he was transferred to Sittwe Prison the following day. 

U Min Aung said Ko Tin Tun Aung had not been seen since he was transferred to Sittwe Prison, adding that he was concerned about his brother’s health and wellbeing. 

“We are worried about his safety as we have not been allowed to see him since he was transferred to Sittwe Prison. He is reportedly in good health in the prison. But family members would be happy to hear his voice. Family members are worried about his livelihood and health,” U Min Aung told DMG. 

The military’s Major Phone Myat Kyaw has also opened a case against the chief editor and a reporter of Western News under Section 124(a) of the Penal Code for its reporting on the hoisting of the white flag.