Hearing for two Kyauktaw men accused of unlawful association begins

By Admin 06 Apr 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 April 2023, Kyauktaw

The trial for a displaced man and a local resident in Kyauktaw, Arakan State, began on April 5, about five months after the duo were arrested by the military, according to a lawyer involved.

The two men appeared before the Kyauktaw Township Court on Wednesday and a police clerk and a village administrator were examined on behalf of the plaintiff and prosecution witness, the lawyer explained.

“The judge questioned a police clerk on behalf of the plaintiff and examined an administrator of Thayet Tabin Village as a prosecution witness during the hearing,” the lawyer added.

The regime has charged traditional medical practitioner U Kyaw Hein, 40, who was taking shelter at a displacement camp within the Kavi Yadana Monastery compound in Kyauktaw town, and U Maung Saw Thar, 53, of Thayet Tabin Village, under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for having alleged ties to the Arakan Army (AA).

The two men were arrested last year during renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA). Family members have denied that the two had any affiliation with the AA.

Family members of the men have called for a swift trial as they face financial difficulties and livelihood hardships.

“The plaintiff in an unlawful association case against them [the two men] has failed to show up for 12 consecutive court hearings, delaying justice. I would like to demand that the two be prosecuted if they are guilty and released if they are innocent,” said Daw Aye Than, the wife of U Kyaw Hein.

The next hearing has been scheduled for April 23.

Dozens of people were arrested on suspicion of having AA ties during the renewed hostilities.  Some of them have since been released, but others have not. 

According to a DMG tally, the regime detained around 50 people in the latest fighting with the AA from August to late November, charging many of them under the Unlawful Associations Act, or with incitement under Section 505 of the Penal Code.