Lekka villagers’ case delayed again as judge reportedly takes leave

By DMG 19 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
19 November 2021, Mrauk-U 

The case of more than 20 Lekka villagers in Mrauk-U Township, who have been detained for more than two years, has been delayed again even as they appeared in court on November 19. 

The trial appears to have concluded all but for the verdict, but the court on November 5 said it was not ready to make a ruling at that time. 

U Aung Sit Min, a lawyer from the Min Htee Law Firm involved in the case, said the court scheduled the next hearing for December 3 because the judge took leave on November 19. 

“The judge took leave today, so the court decision is delayed,” he said. 

The villagers were arrested in April 2019 on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army. 

They have been charged under Sections 50(a) and (i), 52(a) and 54 of the Counter-Terrorism Law, as well as Section 21(a) of the 1949 Arms (Temporary) Act. 

Family members are raising questions over the court’s latest postponement, given that it has finished examining the case. 

“We think the government is getting a bit much,” said Daw San Thar Nu, the mother of Ko Oo Hla Maung, 24, who was arrested from Lekka village. 

The Lekka villagers were arrested before the AA was declared a terrorist group on March 23, 2020. 

The military regime has withdrawn some cases charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law in Arakan State since the AA was de-designated as a terrorist group in March of this year, but the Lekka villagers’ years-long trial has continued. 

“The relevant authorities need to consider the rights and losses of the accused and help to ensure the judiciary sector is strong,” lawyer Aung Sit Min told DMG. 

More than 200 people were arrested on suspicion of AA ties during two years of armed conflict between the Myanmar military and the ethnic armed group in Arakan State.