Kyauktaw Twsp court orders filing of charges against three detained men

03 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
3 January 2023, Kyauktaw

The Kyauktaw Township Court ordered the filing of charges against three residents, including social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win from Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, according to the lawyer and family members.

Three men, including social activist Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, who were allegedly linked to the Arakan Army (AA), were ordered to face charges at Tuesday’s hearing after six months of trial, family members said.

“They were examined as to whether they have any ties to the AA. My younger brother testified that he has no links with the AA. The township court ordered the filing of charges against three men under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code,” said Ma Nyo Nyo, an elder sister of one of the accused, Ko Zaw Min Htet.

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

The next hearing has been scheduled for January 10 and the accused and defence witnesses will be examined during the hearing, said the lawyer involved.

“The court scheduled the next hearing for January 10. The accused including Ko Zaw Win and defence witnesses will be questioned during the next hearing,” the lawyer added.

The trio were arrested during renewed military tensions between the Myanmar military and the AA, and as they have no connection with the AA, she wants them to be released as soon as possible during the current ceasefire period, Ma Nyo Nyo said.

“Since we have to go to the court hearings again and again, the financial costs have increased too much. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 10. I want them released as soon as possible during the ceasefire between the military and AA. It hurts him to be detained like this without any guilt,” she said.

The military and AA agreed to an informal ceasefire on November 26, following months of renewed hostilities that began in earnest in August.

Family members are also demanding the release of other residents in Arakan State who have been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act after being arrested on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army.

At least 46 people were arrested on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and/or incitement under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code during some four months of heightened military tensions and conflict between the military and AA in Arakan State, according to a DMG tally.