Although a standard hearing for four Arakanese students charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 29 of the Natural Disaster Management Law was not held due to Covid-19 concerns, a final prosecution witness has testified regarding the latter charge.

The court heard the remaining prosecution witness, Police Lieutenant Tin Lin Maung, regarding the students’ Natural Disaster Management Law charges on Saturday, said U Hla Aung Thein, a lawyer representing the accused.

U Hla Aung Thein said that since all prosecution witnesses have been heard in relation to the two charges brought against the four students, submissions will be sent regarding the charges on July 16.

The Section 505(b) incitement charge and the Section 29 charge, pertaining to the alleged breach of Covid-19 regulations, date back to a protest in Sittwe last year.

The students joined the anti-war demonstration organised by the Arakan Students’ Union on October 19, with protesters’ slogans including “No Fascist Army”, “No Colonial Government”, “No Bloody Government”, and “Burmese Government Get Out”.

The four defendants — Ko Kyaw Naing Htay, Ko Oo Than Naing and Ko Mrat Soe Win from the Arakan Students’ Union, and Ko Kaung Tun from the Arakan Students’ Union (Universities - Yangon) — were arrested by police during the protest.

Some students from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions were sentenced to three years in prison after being charged last year under Section 505 (b) for their public opposition to the war and human rights abuses in Arakan State.