Rangoon: Eleven Arakanese youth detained by Burmese authorities were produced before the court in Insein Prison on Wednesday to face charges filed by the police, said a relative of a youth.

Police Officer Than Soe, Inspector of the Police Intelligence Unit, is prosecuting the youths for alleged links with the banned All Arakan Students' and Youths' Congress (AASYC) based on the Thai-Burma border.

The 11 Arakanese youths were arrested from several locations in Arakan State and Rangoon in early September 2009 on accusations of having connections with the banned youth organization.

The youths were produced before the western district court in Insein Prison during the first week of January, and so far four hearings on the case have been held. The court will be hearing another 24 witnesses before the trial is concluded.

The group was charged under the Unlawful Association Act on accusations of having links with and supporting the AASYC. Six of them were also charged with crossing the border illegally. The prosecutors have also pressed a charge in connection with explosives against Mae Lone, also known as Naing Soe.

Eight of the youths were identified as Kyaw Win, Khaing Kyaw Moe, Tun Lun Kyaw, Naing Soe, Kyaw San Thein, Maung Naing Soe, Aung San Thein, Aung Moe Zaw. Most of the youths are graduates.