U Tin Tun said U Hsan Hsint only became aware of the sedition charge when it was revealed at the hearing, despite it having apparently being brought against his client on July 8.

The definition of sedition in the penal code includes any attempt to bring the government into hatred or contempt and a conviction carries a maximum penalty of transportation for life or imprisonment for up to three years and a fine.

U Hsan Hsint was charged with breach of trust involving the misappropriation of funds after his ministerial position was "terminated" on June 19 under an order signed by President U Thein Sein.

His first hearing was on July 3 and as he was leaving the court he told the media he had been arrested "for disobedience to the President".
 
U Hsan Hsint's sacking and arrest is widely believed to be linkedto a June 10 midnight raid on a Yangon monastery by Ministry of Religious Affairs and other officials to seize control of the property from a well-known abbot and his followers.

The abbot had been involved in a long-running dispute with the government over ownership of the property.

Five monks detained in the raid were later forced to disrobe before being charged with defaming religion and transferred to Insein prison, a move which outraged some prominent members of the sangha, or community of monks, who threatened to launch protests.

The five monks, who included the Venerable U Ottara, a British citizen popularly known as the LondonSayadaw, were later released on bail and hearings against them are continuing.

They are seeking to bring charges of unlawful arrest and unlawful confinement against the supreme organisation representing the monkhood in Myanmar, the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.