In 29 July 2026, a military junta-controlled court in Mandalay sentenced nine pro-democracy activists to severe prison terms of up to 37 years in Obo Prison for organizing a peaceful boycott against the regime’s sham elections. The convicted individuals include Htet Myat Aung, the former chair of the Yadanabon University Students’ Union, along with activists Chi Chi, Kyaw Wunna, Su Su Thwe, Aung Ko Win, Nge Lay, Wai Yan Oo, and Thant Zin, who each received 37-year sentences. A ninth activist, Kyaw Aung, was sentenced to 27 years.
The activists were initially arrested in mid-December 2025 following a peaceful flash-mob protest near Mandalay’s Zegyo Market on 3 December 2025, during which they publicly urged citizens to actively boycott the military’s orchestrated elections. Following violent interrogations at military holding centers, they were held in pre-trial detention in Obo Prison for six months. The regime court ultimately convicted eight of the activists on three counts under Article 23(b) of the draconian “Election Protection Law,” handing down 10 years for each count, totaling 30 years. The court subsequently convicted them under Article 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, adding an additional seven years to finalize the 37-year sentences.