Myanmar Sentences American to Prison

The American, Nyi Nyi Aung, a naturalized citizen who has spent two decades campaigning for democracy in his native Myanmar, formerly Burma, will be allowed to serve the three prison terms concurrently, cutting down the actual prison time to three years. Mr. Nyi Nyi Aung’s lawyers said they would appeal, and human rights groups called the charges phony.

Richard Mei, a spokesman for the United States Embassy in Myanmar, said the verdict was “unjustified” and urged the Burmese authorities to release him.

“We believe the charges were politically motivated,” Mr. Mei said, reading from a prepared statement. He declined to discuss what other steps the United States might take.

(...) Mr. Nyi Nyi Aung, who was born Kyaw Zaw Lin, was sentenced to three years for forging a national identity card, one year for possession of undeclared foreign currency and one year for failing to renounce his Burmese citizenship after becoming an American citizen in 2002.