Trial continues for Paletwa man in white-flag incitement case

By DMG 23 Mar 2022

DMG Newsroom
23 March 2022, Paletwa, Chin State 

Ko Tin Tun Aung, a local man from Paletwa Township, Chin State, who was detained by the Myanmar military and faces incitement charges, appeared before the township court on March 23, according to family members. 

Captain Tun Tun Naing, the plaintiff from the Myanmar military, was summoned to testify as a witness during Wednesday’s court hearing. 

Ko Tin Tun Aung was charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code on March 17 and the accused pleaded not guilty at a previous court hearing.  

“Captain Tun Tun Naing was called to testify as a witness during the court hearing [on March 23]. The court is scheduled to examine the accused tomorrow, as well as defence witnesses,” a source close to Ko Tin Tun Aung told DMG. 

According to family members of Ko Tin Tun Aung, the court will hear testimony from the defendant and defence witnesses U Maung Than and U Aung Myint at the hearing on Thursday. 

Ko Tin Tun Aung was arrested on December 28 after telling the Arakan State-based media outlet Western News that a white flag had been seen flying on a hill where a military battalion was stationed in Paletwa Township.  

He faces charges under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision that has been frequently used by Myanmar’s military regime to stifle dissent. 

“Who was affected by the white flag hoisting? Therefore, his case is an injustice,” a family member told DMG. 

U Tin Tun Aung was arrested along with another man on December 28, after telling Western News about the white flag. The other man has since been released by Paletwa Myoma police station.