Daw Nyo Aye, chairperson ofthe Rakhine Women's Network, who was charged under section 505(b) for attendingthe Sittwe rice killing day ceremony, was sentenced to two years in prison bythe Sittwe township court on 18 March.

She was sentenced to prisonat around 11:30 am on Monday claiming that she was found guilty for attendingthe rice killing day ceremony.

"The court stated thatDaw Nyo Aye attended the ceremony. It also disclosed fabricated evidenceclaiming that the rice killing day vinyl sheet from her office was found. Butthe vinyl was actually taken from the student union’s office, where the ceremonytook place and it was falsely presented as if it came from her office. Based onthis fact, she was sentenced,” said a person close to her.

After she was sentenced, herdaughter Ma Saw Mya Thandar expressed dissatisfaction saying, "I am notsatisfied, but what can I do? The law is in their hands. They can do whateverthey want and the people have to  suffer.”

Daw Nyo Aye is otherwisefacing  high blood pressure and the fatty liver problem. She needs topurchase medicines regularly. Her daughter expressed worries that even thoughshe is ill, Daw Nyo Aye has been sent to prison. She is now unable to receivemedical outside medical treatment.

"She was treated by aprison doctor and bought medicines externally. The  medication costs fromKyats 250,000 to 300,000. It's distressing that my sick mother has beensentenced. I am aware of her suffering even though she looked smiling,” addedthe daughter.

Her trial, originally setfor February, was postponed multiple times before the sentence was pronouncedon Monday.

She was arrested by thepolice on 15 August 2023 from the Rakhine Women's Network office in Sittwe,where she had attended the 56th annual rice killing day commemoration program.The Sittwe student union organised the program on 13 August at their office.

Later the Sittwe number 1police station officer charged her under section 505(b) and filed a case.

She was sentenced with thepre-trial detention period being eligible for deduction from her two-yearsentence.