Ko Lin Htet Naing (aka James), a former leader of All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and political activist was sentenced by the Myanmar junta to five more years in prison under section 52 (b) of the counter-terrorism law on 13 February, according to his wife Phyo Phyo Aung.

His wife Phyo Phyo Aung said: “He had already been sentenced to three years in prison under other charges and after spending another two months in prison he was sentenced to another five years under section 52 (b) of the counter terrorism law”, she said.

He was first sentenced by Insein Prison Court on 7 December 2022 to three years imprisonment without hard labour for incitement under Section 505 (a) before receiving his most recent sentence of five years. The sentences are consecutive, meaning that Ko Lin Htet Naing will have to serve eight years in prison.

He was initially arrested at a restaurant in Botahtaung Township on 18 June 2022 and first charged at Insein Prison Court on 3 November 2022.

Ko Lin Htet Naing’s mother Daw Gyee Myint, (aka Daw May May Kyi) was killed in a bomb blast at the parcel gate of Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison on 19 October as she was preparing to visit her son in the prison.

Ko Lin Htet Naing asked to attend his mother’s funeral on 21 October 2022, but the authorities refused to give him permission to attend.

He also served as Vice President of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) and was actively involved in promoting democracy. He has already served prison sentences for his participation in the 2007 Saffron Revolution.