Myanmar: An American Citizen is Sentenced to 3 Years Hard Labor | Bukisa.com

Nyi Nyi Aung a Burmese-born American citizen was sentenced to three years hard labor in Myanmar today. Aung, who was originally charged with instigating unrest in concert with pro-democracy groups, was convicted of carrying a forged identity card and undeclared U.S. currency and for not renouncing his Burmese citizenship after becoming a U.S. citizen.

Following his September 2009 arrest Aung was reportedly held for 17 days before being allowed to speak to a U.S. government representative. During this time he was allegedly denied food, sleep and medical attention. After being allowed to talk to a representative he was transferred to solitary confinement in what is described as a dog cage.

The arrest came at a time when the United States and Myanmar were taking the initial steps toward becoming diplomatically re-engaged. Wa Wa Kyaw, Aung’s fiancé who is also an American citizen was critical of the Obama administration's silence on the matter at such a critical time saying:

"It is shocking to me that an American citizen has been treated this way and higher U.S. officials are silent on that, it will let the generals think, 'We can do whatever we want, even torture and inhumane treatment of a U.S. citizen,' because America wants to do the engagement policy."

Nyi Nyi Aung’s attorney and supporters say he was arrested before he arrived at the customs checkpoint and therefore was not allowed to declare his currency nor is there an official process to denounce citizenship.

According to the Washington Post U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Mei denounced the sentence as politically motivated saying:

"We are deeply concerned by the unjustified conviction. We believe the charges against Kyaw Zaw Lwin (his legal name on his passport) were politically motivated."

According to the Democratic Voice Of Burma, Aung arrived at the Yangoon airport on September 3 where he was arrested. He had returned to Myanmar to visit his mother who is a democracy activist currently in prison and suffering from cancer. She was arrested during the 2007 protest along with Aung’s cousin.

Aung, a well-known democracy activist, fled Myanmar after playing a key role in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising that resulted in the deaths of at least 3000 people. He moved to the United States as a political refugee in 1993 and became a citizen in 2002.