JURIST EXCLUSIVE – One of the law students reporting for JURIST in Myanmar provides an update on the condition and situation of Theint Sandi Soe, the third-year Mandalay University law student who last week was sentenced to three years in jail by a military judge in Mogok Prison. Theint Sandi Soe was arrested in June together with her mother and five-year-old sister when junta agents came to her house looking for her father. Her sister was later released. Theint Sandi Soe refused to cooperate in her trial, claiming the court had no legitimacy. Now her health, never good, is worsening.

Theint tested positive for Covid-19 in the prison. There is no medical equipment in the prison. She still could not get proper medical treatment she needs for Rheumatoid Arthritis. And now, she’s infected with covid-19. She needs proper medical treatment, medicine, vitamins and proper diet for her immunity to recover from covid-19. But in the prison, she can’t get any of those.

She’s still in Mogok prison right now. Covid-19 is a deadly virus for many people. Even people who are not in the prison cannot get proper treatment because of disturbance of the military juntas. How is Theint going to do in the prison? Theint is in great danger right now.

Together with Theint, I wonder how many detainees are also infected with covid-19 and how their health condition is. The military junta won’t even bother giving them any medical attention and proper care.

Theint’s brother is trying to send food and medicine to her but we’re sure if the things will reach her safely. Theint’s father says he couldn’t get any information about Theint’s mother. They are detained in separate floors of the prison.

Instead of bullets, the military junta is using the Covid-19 virus to murder all of us.