Chiang Mai – Gambira, the monk who led anti-government protests and was forcibly disrobed in prison after arrest, was produced in court in Insein prison today but his defence counsel was not allowed to enter the court room.

The Special Branch of the police and prison authorities blocked the defence counsel's way to the court room inside Insein prison of the Rangoon West District Court.

"I submitted a petition on behalf of my client demanding to allow him to wear his robe in accordance with the existing Burma Jail Manual. The court fixed today to hear the arguments of both sides. But they didn't let me enter the court room today," defence counsel U Pho Phyu said.

Aung Thein, Khin Maung Shein, Nyi Nyi Hlaing and Pho Phyu are acting as defence lawyers for their client Gambira.

""The defence counsel was not allowed to enter the court room on the date fixed for hearing his argument seeking permission to let the accused wear his saffron robe. It is contrary to section 340 of Criminal Procedural Code (access to lawyer), section 40 of Prisons Act (access to lawyer in prison). Therefore the accused Ashin Gambira is losing his prisoner's right," a lawyer said. Ashin is a prefix for monks in Buddhist majority Burma.

In another high profile political case, 35 accused from among 88 Gen Students including its top leaders were produced in court yesterday inside Insein prison. The next hearing is on September 9.

They were arrested and tried for joining anti-government protests by marching in a procession, popularly known as the September saffron revolution, against rising fuel and commodity prices. Opposition sources said that No. 1 leader of the 88 Gen Students Ko Min Ko Naing warned the authorities that they would fight and face the consequences if their demands are not met by the authorities.

The 88 Gen Students demanded that they be tried in open court in keeping with internationally conceded norms, allow media access to the court proceedings and not to handcuff them in court.

The judges' responded saying they would consider not handcuffing them during court hearings, after consulting and coordinating with the concerned administrative officials.