Court set to deliver verdict in case against three Kyauktaw men charged with incitement

By Admin 14 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 March 2023, Kyauktaw

A verdict in the case against three Kyauktaw Township residents, including social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, is expected at their next court hearing, according to a lawyer involved.

The three men, who are allegedly linked to the Arakan Army (AA), were charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code in January of this year.

Lawyers from both sides heard final arguments at Tuesday’s court hearing as all prosecution witnesses have been examined, and the court will deliver a final verdict at the next hearing scheduled for March 28, an attorney representing the accused told DMG.

“The lawyers of both sides filed their final application. We submit that the three of them be acquitted of the charges,” the lawyer explained.

The accused have been identified as social activist Ko Zaw Win from Pyidawtha Ward; U Kyaw Than Maung, a three-wheeled motorbike taxi driver; and Ko Zaw Min Htet from Panphechaung Village in Kyauktaw Township.

The trio were arrested amid renewed military tensions after three junta soldiers were detained by the Arakan Army on June 20, 2022.

Some arrestees were released, but the three men were detained and charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.

“I want my son released as soon as possible because we are in trouble. I hope he will be released because he testified that he has no ties to the Arakan Army,” said U San Hla Kyaw, the father of Ko Zaw Min Htet.

The three Kyauktaw Township residents have been on trial for almost nine months.

“My husband was found innocent when he was examined, so I hope he will be released,” said Daw Khin Hla Zan, the wife of Ko Zaw Win.

Section 505(a) of the Penal Code is punishable by a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a fine, or both.

Several people were arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army during the resumption of hostilities between the military and the ethnic armed group from August to late November of last year.

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