The High Court of Arakan State agreed to change the venue of Lekka villagers’ case from Mrauk-U district court to Sittwe district court, according to the Thazin Legal Aid Group.

The side for the prosecution applied for the change of venue and the High Court of Arakan State agreed on 1 August, said U Myo Myat Hein, an advocate from the Thazin Legal Aid Group.

A total of 23 men from Lekka village in Mrauk-U Township have been charged under section 50 (i) and 52 (a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law.

Their next court hearing has been scheduled for 15 August, Thazin Legal Aid Group said.

A minor from Lekka village has also been detained under suspicion and he has been charged under the Child Law at Mrauk-U township court.

Fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA occurred on 10 April near Lekka village in Mrauk-U Township, and 27 people were arrested under the suspicion of having ties with AA members who entered the their village in the aftermath of fighting, the Tatmadaw announced.