Two students from Dawei Technological University were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under counter-terrorism laws on 28 March 2023.

According to Dawei Technological University Students’ Union, they were charged and sentenced by Dawei District court under section 50 (j) of the counter-terrorism law.

The two students, Aung Wai Yan Tun and Myo Min Oo were both electrical engineering students at Dawei Technological College, Myo Min Oo was also previously the Dawei District Students’ Union chairman. Both were accused of helping to finance people’s defence forces (PDFs) in Dawei Township.

 Aung Wai Yan Tun was arrested at his house in Kyet Sar Pyin Ward, Dawei Town on 11 September 2022.

Myo Min Oo was arrested at his house in Khon Win Dap Ward, Dawei Town, on 12 September 2022.

He had previously been arrested in 2021 and charged with incitement under Penal Code Sections 505 (a) and 505 (c). But, he was released in October 2021 under a government amnesty.

A representative of Dawei Technological University Students’ Union said: “He was arrested twice by the Military Council, he should not have stayed in the country after being released the first time. He is now back in prison. It makes me so sad."

Over 20 students from Dawei Technological University (Dawei) have been arrested since 2021, according to the Students’ Union that said, so far, only six of them have been released

According to the Dawei Political Prisoners Network, 350 political prisoners are currently being held in Dawei prison.