Killers of Catholic priest sentenced to 20 years in prison

The National Unity Government (NUG) has sentenced eight resistance fighters to 20 years in prison for killing a Catholic priest in February, according to a spokesperson for the NUG. The sentences were handed down on July 10, nearly five months after Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win was murdered in Kan Gyi Taw, a village in Sagaing Region’s Shwebo Township about 10 miles southeast of the town of Shwebo. “All eight received 20-year prison sentences. We have them detained in our prisons,” said NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt. Those sentenced are: Tike Kaw (aka) Win Zaw Oo, Nga Nay (aka) Naing Naing, Tagun (aka) Moe Yan Myint Myat, Tat Lu (aka) Naing Win Sithu, Moe Gyoe (aka) Aung Myo Hein, R6 (aka) Aung Zin Myat, Sanay (aka) John Ko Htun, and Kyar Gyi (aka) Yin Htoo Kyaw. Father Martin was killed on the evening of February 14 at the Lady of Lourdes Church in Kan Gyi Taw after being accused of acting as an informant for junta forces operating on the area. People’s Defence Force troops from Shwebo District Battalion 5 apprehended 10 suspects on the day of the killing, the NUG’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration announced in a statement released on February 17. The ministry also strongly condemned the targeting of civilians, including religious leaders, and said that the perpetrators would be held accountable. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar also released a statement demanding that justice be served regarding Father Martin’s murder. A Catholic priest who spoke to Myanmar Now said he welcomed the NUG’s vow to hold the killers responsible. “We greatly accept and welcome this. We respect and honour everyone who upholds justice and righteousness.”

Killers of Catholic priest sentenced to 20 years in prison

The National Unity Government handed down the sentences on eight resistance fighters after vowing to hold them accountable

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