A prosecution witness has yet to be examined in the case of Ko Sein Chit and Ko Ye Naing Oo from Thandwe town, Arakan State, who have been charged under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law.

One of two prosecution witnesses from Maubin Township, Ayeyarwady Region, was examined at a court hearing on Wednesday, according to the lawyer defending the two accused.

“Captain Min Thet Paing was examined via video conferencing. Another witness, Corporal Thura Win, is on a trip,” said the lawyer, Daw Theingi Maung.

Ko Sein Chit and Ko Ye Naing Oo were arrested in October of last year and are accused of having ties to the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF).

Captain Nay Zaw Htet from Battalion No. 55 in Thandwe Township’s Ngapali has brought charges against the men under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law.

Twelve of 13 prosecution witnesses have been examined and the last one will be examined at a February 16 court hearing, Daw Theingi Maung said.

The two accused men are social workers in Thandwe Township, their families say.

Although there does not appear to be an organised PDF militia in Arakan State, at least nine people in the state have been arrested on suspicion of financing anti-regime forces.