The family members of those arrested on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army (AA) are reportedly disappointed with the repeated postponements by the military regime’s courts.
Some court hearings have been postponed because the plaintiffs and their witnesses have not appeared in court, according to family members.
The hearing of dentist Dr. Kyaw Thura Tun, charged under Section 17 (1) (2) of the Unlawful Associations Act, was adjourned four times because prosecution witnesses failed to appear, his wife Daw Moh Moh Wah told the Development Media Group (DMG).
The case was adjourned to 18 January because the witness failed to appear in court on 12 January. Only one prosecution witness remains to be heard in the case.
“They have adjourned the case many times just because the last witness didn’t appear. We feel pressured because it’s been so long. I want the case to be heard quickly,” Daw Moh Wah said.
Dr. Kyat Thura Tun was charged under Section 8 of the Export and Import Law on 12 January.
The cases of Maung San Htay, a university student from Khamaungseik village, and Ko Khin Zaw, a motorcycle taxi driver from Mingalar Nyunt village, who was charged under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, were also postponed six times because the plaintiffs failed to appear.
Although the hearing at the court in Maungdaw Township was scheduled for 12 January, it was postponed to 19 January because the plaintiff failed to appear.
Ma Nu Than Yin, Ko Khin Zaw’s elder sister, said it made no sense that there had not yet been a hearing since his arrest more than two months ago.
“It’s not easy for us to attend a court hearing. It costs us travel expenses and all family members are sad,” Ma Nu Than Yin said.
There are also cases where some of the cases related to AA have been tried, but the verdict was postponed on the grounds that the court was not ready.
The case of U Thein Zaw, who was arrested and charged under Section 17 (1) on 12 January, 2022, from Shwe Pya ward in Minbya has been postponed 20 times, his family members said.
“The superior officials aren’t ready. They have postponed the case 20 times now and claim they are still discussing it. We feel harassed by the postponements. He has parents to be taken care of. And he has a family to support. His wife is struggling to feed the children because he is detained,” said Ko Lin Lin, the younger brother of U Thein Zaw.
According to the DMG, since the resumption of fighting between the military council and AA, the regime has arrested nearly 50 people, including social activists, village/ward administrators, and government employees suspected of being linked to AA, and charged them under laws such as Section 17 (1) (2) of the Unlawful Associations Act and Section 505 (a) (b) of the Penal Code.
Human rights activists have pointed out that those currently on trial are cases filed by the military council and should respect the courtroom and appear without fail.
“The defendants have many complaints. But what the military council knows is that they have to file a lawsuit. The defendants are upset. And their families are worried. The defendants who are in prison and detention have been waiting for a long time for the plaintiffs to come and be heard in court. They are suffering from stress. This is unacceptable,” said U Myat Tun, director of the Arakan Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Association.
Following the resurgence of military tensions in Arakan State, the military council arrested 324 innocent civilians, 85 of them have been released, while the remaining 239 are still in custody, said AA Information Officer U Khaing Thukha.
Sent by DMG.