Young Woman Arrested by Military Council and Sentenced to Life Imprisonment by Military Court in Kyaukme

A young woman from Ward 7, Area 1, Kyaukme Township, was arrested by the Terror Military Council and sentenced to life imprisonment under the Counter-Terrorism Law.

The victim, 20-year-old Lwe Hla Hla Htay, was arrested on September 15, 2025, while applying for a National Registration Card (NRC) at a temporary immigration office located within a Chinese monastery in Kyaukme. 

She was detained alongside her sister, Lwe Aye Myint. While Lwe Aye Myint was released on September 28 after 13 days in custody, Lwe Hla Hla Htay remained in detention.

According to her mother, Daw Moe Lay, the family had traveled from the mountains to register the two daughters. After initially being told they needed birth certificates, they returned the following day, only to be detained.

“They told me they had to ask some questions for her and took her away. After that, I wasn’t allowed to see her anymore,” Daw Moe Lay said. “The authorities told me, ‘You Palaungs are terrorists.’ Eventually, I was told she had been transferred to Mandalay Prison by order of a military court.”

“I tried to search for her after 15 days. Later, I went to Mandalay to search for her. I borrowed money from other people to go to Mandalay. I met my daughter at the prison. I visited her two times. I sent money and food. One prison staff was very kind and he arranged me to meet my daughter,” said Daw Moe Lay. 

On December 3, 2025, a military court in Kyaukme sentenced Lwe Hla Hla Htay to life imprisonment with hard labor under Section 505(a) and Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to Daw Moe Lay. 

Prior to her arrest, Lwe Hla Hla Htay had spent years as a nun at the Yadanar Theingi Shwe Palaung Monastery in Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon, where she completed her education from Grade 4 to Grade 11. She had only recently returned to her home region in May 2024 from Yangon.

Lwe Aye Myint, the sister who was released, recounted the harrowing experience during their initial 13-day detention. She alleged that they were subjected to physical abuse and interrogation.

“They beat male detainees and tortured them. They beat with iron rods. My sister was threatened with a gun. I was beaten. They said I talked too much. One policeman slapped me. They blindfolded me at the early time of the arrest. We were asked questions separately. They said they are not happy with our “Palaung” people. I was detained, and I was released about after 13 days. My sister was left there,” said Lwe Aye Myint. 

Daw Moe Lay is now struggling to support her daughter while facing financial hardship. She has filed a petition but has yet to receive a response. “I am working hard just to pay rent and visit her once a month, which is not easy,” she said. She expressed a faint hope that a new administration or potential post-election amnesties might lead to a reduction in her daughter’s sentence.I have to do casual works as I need to pay house rents also.