Families call for expedited trial in case of Kyaukphyu duo facing incitement charges

By DMG 27 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 December 2022, Kyaukphyu 

Family members have called for a speedier trial in the case of a man and woman in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu arrested on suspicion of having links to the Arakan Army (AA) and facing incitement charges under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. 

U Than Hlaing, 41, and Daw Khin Ohn Ngwe, 56, from Ceditaung Ward in the town of Kyaukphyu, have been held for about seven months. Family members are asking the court to expedite the case, which has been repeatedly delayed, according to Ma Mya Hnin Ngwe Aung, the daughter of Daw Khin Ohn Ngwe. 

“The case has been going on for a long time, but we haven’t been questioned yet. The plaintiff’s witnesses were also examined last month. We want the court to continue trial proceedings as soon as possible,” she explained. 

The two defendants appeared before the Kyaukphyu Township Court on December 26, but were not examined during the hearing. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 5, according to family members. 

“We also don’t understand why the case is delayed,” said Ma Cho Cho Thein, the wife of U Than Hlaing. “The lawyer did not tell us anything about the case. We don’t understand if they have been charged or what.” 

DMG reached out to the lawyer handling the case to find out more, but was unsuccessful. 

Accused of raising funds for the Arakan Army, U Than Hlaing and Daw Khin Ohn Ngwe were taken into custody by security personnel from the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 34 on May 26. 

They were subsequently charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision that has been used frequently by Myanmar’s junta to imprison real and perceived opponents of military rule.