The leader of the Kachin National Congress (KNC) has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after being convicted by a court in Naypyitaw of sedition under Article 505 (a) of Burma’s Penal Code.

KNC members expressed remorse after learning of Dr M Kawn La’s conviction on Wedesday at the Zabuthiri Township courthouse.

“As a party member, we’re very sad for the chair of our party. This is a waste of time. Our party cannot participate in politics: This is a big loss to our Kachin politics,” he told KNG. He said that the seven months he spent on remand will be deducted from his incarceration period.

The armed forces had arrested the chairperson at his clinic in Naypyitaw in August last year and subjected him to 5 court hearings before he was sentenced.

According to the advocacy group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the military regime has convicted 868 people and arrested or charged 9,005 since the fall of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy government more than a year ago during a coup.