Lu Phan Kar, who led anti-regime protests in Ayeyarwady region’s Pathein city, has been sentenced to another two years in prison for incitement against the military.

Pathein Prison Court handed down the sentence on Monday under Section 505 (a) of Myanmar’s Penal Code.

Lu Phan Kar is a published poet who began leading anti-junta demonstrations in Ayeyarwady region following the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup. Protests swelled to around 5,000 people in the days leading up to his arrest in Pathein the following month.

He was charged with incitement against the military, sedition against the State and withholding information on an attempt to commit treason.

Last November, Lu Phan Kar was sentenced to 26 years in prison under Sections 122 and 124 of the Penal Code for sedition and misprision of treason, and six months for breaking prison rules.

“I found out that he received the additional sentence when I met with him yesterday,” said a friend, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

“At first, I thought the cases would total 25 years but I heard that the court sentenced him to 28 years and six months. He doesn’t even hire a lawyer anymore. He only hired a lawyer for one case … and won’t hire one now because he will be jailed anyway.”

In November 2021, eight political activists, including three former National League for Democracy lawmakers from Ayeyarwady region were sentenced to 20 years each for sedition and defamation of the State.

More than 16,500 people have been arrested in the 22 months since the coup for their real or alleged involvement in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, with 13,088 of them still in prison according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.