Despite bringing a case against two Shan State soldiers for alleged illegal arms possession and unauthorized taxation, Tatmadaw officials have failed to show up for three of the four court hearings, according to a representative from the defendants’ armed group.
The two soldiers – Sai Sur Loun and Sai Loun – were arrested on July 25 by the Mong Hsat-based 527th Light Infantry Battalion in Kain Hain village. They were charged with illegal arms possession, possession of walkie-talkies and illegal tax collection.
But the court hearings have faced repeated delays and postponement after the plaintiffs, the Tatmadaw, failed to make an appearance. The most recent hearing on November 6 was pushed back to November 20 due to the no shows.
“There must be thirteen people from the plaintiff’s side at the court hearing. Only four people attended [on Nov. 6] so it was rescheduled,” said an official from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA) liaison office in Kengtung.
An SSA spokesperson said the Tatmadaw’s accusations against the two soldiers were groundless. The RCSS/SSA signed a ceasefire with the government in 2012, and was one of eight groups party to the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). After signing the agreement, the SSA was no longer considered an illegal organization under the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act.
