Three women in southern Rakhine State have been jailed for 10 years each after junta prosecutors accused them of funding the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the National Unity Government (NUG). 

Nyein Ei Phyo Kyaw, 35, Tin Sandar Win, 28, and San Chio Theik, 40, were sentenced under an anti-terror law at a court in Thandwe Township on Thursday, their lawyer said. 

The lawyer, Tun Win Maung, said he did not yet know if the women planned to appeal.

“Their families have not contacted me since they were sentenced,” he told Myanmar Now. 

Family members of the women could not be reached for comment. 

The three were arrested on November 3 and police captain Win Naing Soe filed a case against them under Section 50j of the Counterterrorism Law the following day. 

A 17-year-old high school student was arrested along with the women but is no longer part of their case.

As well as the PDF and the NUG, the women were accused of funding the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH). All three groups have been labelled terrorist organisations by the junta.  

Nyein Ei Phyo Kyaw’s two-year-old daughter died in February after falling ill while staying with her mother in prison.

The PDF is not active in Rakhine State, which is one of the few places in Myanmar where armed resistance to the junta did not emerge in the wake of last year’s coup. Despite that, several people have been arrested in the state for funding the PDF.

In February an author from Mrauk-U Township named Aung Myint Naing was accused of funding the PDF and sentenced to 10 years in prison under Section 50j.

The child was being held with her mother, who was arrested last year on suspicion of financing anti-regime activities

One of the retired generals who took part in the ceremony told Myanmar Now that it was held to “raise awareness” among pro-junta members of the public