Hearing postponed again due to absence of plaintiff in Kyauktaw social activist’s incitement trial

By DMG 25 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
25 November 2022, Kyauktaw

The plaintiff in the case against political and social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, who has been charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, could not attend a court hearing on Friday, with the hearing postponed for the seventh time, according to a lawyer involved.

“The plaintiff did not appear in court, so the judge could not hear the case. The next hearing has been rescheduled for December 5, and two prosecution witnesses and a police officer have been summoned for the hearing,” the lawyer said, adding that the plaintiff’s failure to show was reportedly due to security issues.

Family members of the defendant called on court officials to expedite the legal process in light of the plaintiff’s repeated absences from hearings he was summoned to attend.

“We want to urge the concerned officials to speed up the legal proceedings because we have to spend a lot of money and time to attend each court hearing,” said Daw Khin Hla Zan, the wife of Ko Zaw Win. “Commodity prices are going up and people are grappling with the high cost of living. He is also confined in police custody. I want him released as soon as possible if he is not guilty.”

Three Kyauktaw residents including Ko Zaw Win were arrested on June 21 and subsequently charged with incitement under Section 505 of the Penal Code. They first appeared before a Kyauktaw court on July 13.

Ko Zaw Win is a local philanthropist who assists internally displaced people (IDPs) in the area.