The court hearing of former Mon State Chief Minister Dr. Aye Zan charged under Section 505 of the Penal Code, cannot be held for two months, according to an official of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

U Ngwe Myint, Secretary of the Mon State NLD said: “We get the news that he has been charged, but we have been denied any contact with him for two months since his arrest.”

The army arrested Dr. Aye Zan on February 1st, the day on which the army conducted the coup and then released him. He was put under house arrest at the minister’s housing. On February 10th, the army re-arrested him.

The authorities filed the case against him under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code for posting the video about the CDM staff on his social media.

Section 505(a) of the Penal Code makes it a crime to publish or circulate any 'statement, rumor or report', 'with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, any officer, soldier, sailor or airman, in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny or otherwise disregard or fail in his duty as such'. Those found guilty shall face two-year’s imprisonment or a fine or both.

In addition, the army filed cases against some NLD MPs under Section 505 (a) and (b) of the Penal Code for participation in anti-coup protests.

Of the MPs in Mon State charged, the former Chief Minister and MP Daw Mar Mar Khaing from Thaton Township are arrested. The remaining MPs go into hiding.

Most of the NLD members and MPs are hiding due to the arrests of and charges against the NLD MPs.