Win Htein, a senior member of the ousted Myanmar governing party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on Friday by a special tribunal in the capital city, Naypyitaw.

Htein was charged with sedition pursuant to Section 124A of the Myanmar Penal Code after condemning junta leader Ming Aung Hlaing in media interviews. He received the maximum sentence available under Section 124A.

Htein has been described as one of the closest confidantes of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the NLD. A seasoned politician, Htein has spent time in detention for being outspoken against military rule in Myanmar. Prior to his arrest, Htein was a spokesperson for the NLD after the arrest of it Suu Kyi. Htein was previously forced to retire from the Myanmar military after being accused of an assassination plot against dictator Ne Win.

Htein’s daughter, Chit Suu Win Htein, denounced the sentence. She also stated that it was expected due to Htein’s political position. Win Htein’s lawyer stated that he “is firm in beliefs and resilient so he was not fazed at all. Since the time he was detained and charged, he has told the court to hand down the sentence as it sees fit, no matter how many years it may be.”

Many other NLD officials and ministers have been charged with incitement and corruption. NLD buildings in Yangon and Mandalay have suffered bomb and arson attacks from the junta.