Ex-ANP youth leader sentenced to prison on terrorism charge

By Admin 06 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
6 December 2024, Yangon

Myanmar's military regime has reportedly sentenced Ko Gambari aka Khin Win Maung, a former youth leader of the Arakan National Party (ANP) facing terrorism charges, to 12 years in prison.

The Mayangon District Court in Yangon sentenced Ko Gambari to the lengthy prison term on November 29, said a source close to the accused.

"He [Ko Gambari] was jailed under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. His father made a prison visit yesterday, but he was denied due to lack of a recommendation letter signed by the ward administrator," the source explained.

Ko Gambari was arrested on the night of May 31 at a house in Yangon's Hlaing Township, where he was taking shelter after fleeing fighting between the military regime and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State. He was arrested for allegedly funding an unlawful organisation, according to sources.

A native of Pauktaw Township in Arakan State, Ko Gambari is a former leader of the youth wing of the ANP's central executive committee. He is also a social activist who has worked to help people displaced by the conflict in Arakan State.

"The regime is conducting overnight guest checks and arbitrary arrests, so displaced people from Arakan State in Yangon should travel with caution," said an Arakanese youth in Yangon.

The regime arrested Arakanese singer Hsu Myat Htet on October 7 in Yangon, and similarly filed terrorism charges against her.

The regime is targeting Arakanese young people and social activists in Yangon, arresting them for various purported reasons.