The case against a distance university student and a motorbike taxi driver from Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act was heard on Thursday, the first court hearing in relation to the matter in nearly three months since the duo were detained.
The accused are Ko Maung Hsan Htay, 24, a second-year distance university learner from Khamaung Seik Village, and Ko Khin Zaw, 22, a motorbike taxi driver from Mingalarnyunt Township.
The two men were detained at a junta security checkpoint near the Kyee Kan Pyin border guard police headquarters on their way back to Khamaung Seik Village from Maungdaw Township on November 1. The Myanmar military subsequently filed a lawsuit against the two for allegedly having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) on November 15.
The first prosecution witness, a policeman from No. 1 Border Guard Police Headquarters, testified before the Maungdaw Township Court on Thursday.
“A policeman from Kyeekanpyin [border guard police] headquarters came to the trial. He said he saw two men along with three cellphones on the motorbike,” said Ma Nu Than Yin, the elder sister of Ko Khin Zaw.
Multiple court hearings have been postponed as the complainant has failed to show up. The next court hearing has been scheduled for February 2, when another prosecution witness will be heard, according to family members of the accused.
Family members have repeatedly insisted that the defendants have no ties to the AA.
Ko Maung Hsan Htay’s mother Daw Ma Hla Sein called for the immediate release of her son so that he can attend classes for distance learners, which are opening soon for the 2023 academic year.
“I have enrolled my son. But I don’t know if he will be released,” she said.
According to a DMG rally, around 50 individuals were charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for allegedly having ties to the AA during the latest fighting in Arakan State. The two sides reached an informal truce in late November, but many residents who were detained for allegedly having ties to the AA are not yet released, and family members have steadfastly called for their immediate release.
