U Kyaw Hein, the day after his release from prison, said on July 17 that he intends to take legal action against a judge he alleges over exacted a penalty against him whilst he served his term in jail.
U Kyaw Hein was speaking at a press conference held at the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group’s offices in Thingangkuun.
He said he had been sentenced on June 23 to either a month in prison or a K10,000 (US$10) fine for organising a public sermonin Shwepyithar township by the monk Shwe Nya Wa Sayardaw on February 3 without permission. He added that although he had chosen the jail term, representatives of the judge had still demanded he pay the fine.
“They went to my house and seized two chairs and two packs of coffee mix, claiming they were following the judge’s orders,” said U Kyaw Hein.
He added that he was currently seeking legal advice over the matter.
Also speaking at the press conference Shwe Nya Wa Sayardaw said “monks should not be prohibited from preaching in a country where the majority of the community is Buddhist.”
Members of the Shwepyithar community who were also in attendance at the press conference told the assembled media that on July 16, 150 locals, who on June 23 had demonstrated against the sentencing of U Kyaw Hein, were charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Act.
