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Myanmar actor, model, singer and entrepreneur Paing Takhon, 25, has been jailed three years for taking part in the mass protests that rocked Myanmar earlier in 2021, according to AFP.

Paing Takhon - Myanmar model , actor and singer.The junta brutally sentenced him to three years in prison with hard labor today.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #RejectMilitaryCoup #Paingtakhon pic.twitter.com/pIrqEkQV8L

— Nandar (@Nandar54974885) December 27, 2021

He was also sentenced to hard labour in a court in Yangon, his legal advisor Khin Maung Myint told AFP.

Arrested in April

Paing was first detained by the military in April 2021, and was allegedly in ill health when taken away.

BBC reported that a close acquaintance of Paing's had shared that he had been suffering from depression and a physical condition when he was arrested, and had not even been able to stand properly.

According to The Irrawaddy, Paing had been a vocal critic of Myanmar's military coup since it was launched on Feb. 1, 2021.

He had also been active in the mass protests that followed the coup, which saw deadly clashes between the junta military and protesters.

Myanmar junta forces arrested a famous young model #PaingTakhon at his home in Yangon’s North Dagon on Apr. 8, said his sister. Denouncing the military coup, he took part in protests since February. The junta sued him under article 505a of the Penal Code.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/zKPj5a3slm

— The Irrawaddy (Eng) (@IrrawaddyNews) April 8, 2021

Paing's lawyer, Khin, shared that the actor-model's family is "deeply saddened" by the news of his sentence, and is considering whether to appeal.

Calls to free Paing have also been circulating on social media following news of his jail term.

Big Congratulations Our Nation's Boy ❤️

Free Our Nation's Boy 😭
Paing Takhon❤ pic.twitter.com/hMm2YN0INU

— Thaè Thaè (@ThaTha30485020) December 28, 2021

Justice not prevail in Myanmar #PaingTaKhon#Imprisoned_for_Belief pic.twitter.com/kX6LC5OTcs

— Freedom Media Myanmar (@freedommedia_mm) December 27, 2021

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) Burma, as of Dec. 27, at least 1,377 people have been killed and 11,232 arrested since the start of Myanmar's violent crackdowns.

Paing, who is popular in his home country and neighbouring Thailand, had more than one million followers on his Facebook and Instagram before they were taken down shortly after his arrest.

His Instagram appears to have since been reinstated via a fan account.

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Top images via @paing_takhon Instagram and @Paing Takhon on Instagram