Chin activist’s prison term reduced on appeal - Kyaw Soe

(DVB)–Eastern Rangoon Provincial Court yesterday upheld an appeal by ethnic Chin activist Kyaw Soe and reduced his jail term by 13 years, according to his lawyer.

Kyaw Soe, also known as Kamlam Koup, is the son of the Zomi National Congress chairman and 1990 people's parliament representative Pu Cint Sian Than.

He was arrested in connection with the September 2007 demonstrations and was sentenced to 33 years’ imprisonment by South Dagon township court in November last year.

His lawyer Kyaw Ho said Kyaw Soe will now serve his two seven-year jail terms under the Press Law concurrently, followed by two other two-year sentences for sedition and causing public disorder, which will also be served concurrently.

The court also decided to combine his three sentences under the Unlawful Assembly Act so he will serve the two terms of two years and one of three years concurrently, bringing his term down from seven to three years.

His sentences under the Immigration Act remains unchanged.

In total, the decision decreases Kyaw Soe’s sentence by 13 years down to 20 years.

Kyaw Ho said the appeal for Pu Cint Sian Than's nephew Anthony, who was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, was rejected.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet