A monk has criticized an unlawful associations trial for lacking transparency after members of the public were barred from entering the Mrauk-U Court on May 2.
Social activist Khine Ni Min and the Myatazaung Sayadaw are being tried for organizing a football match to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the Arakan Army. The pair were arrested on April 10.
Thabarwa Nadi Sayadaw told Narinjara News that supporters were prevented from attending the second hearing.
“We were allowed inside the grounds, but we weren’t allowed inside the courthouse. Only two lawyers were allowed inside,” he said.
Myatanzaung Sayadaw’s disciples protested in front of the court by holding up signboards that said, “Give back our teacher who has been unlawfully arrested”.
Irrawaddy reported that township authorities had warned Myatanzaung Sayadaw to cancel the planned football match, or at the very least, to avoid calling it the “Arakan Army Cup”. The event went forward however, and a Mrauk-U-based Tatmadaw battalion filed a complaint.
Khine Ni Min and the Myatanzaung Sayadaw have been charged under sections 17(1) and 17(2) of the Unlawful Association Act. The colonial-era legislation is often used to target members and supporters of ethnic armed organizations that are not party to a ceasefire. If found guilty, they could face up to eight years in prison.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 8.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
