Prosecuted Rakhine civilians face repeated postponements of trials

Seven civilians, prosecuted under section 17(1) of the unlawful association, were produced in Kyauk Taw township military council court on Wednesday, but  the trial procedure did not take place.

Now the Rakhine residents will be produced once again on 21 September.

The military council township judge  U Aung Kyaw Thu informed in the morning hours that the witness did not arrive and hence the trial has been postponed again.

“It’s unfortunate that the trial is being postponed again and again as the witness did not arrive in the court,” said a person close to the accused individuals.

The prosecuted individuals include U Saw Moe Kyaw (a recreational photographer from Min Bya township), Ko Maung Than Htay, Ko Maung Tun Hlaing (both from  Kyauk Taw township), U Than Soe (from Ye Ro Pyin village),  Ko Myo Oo (from Ponnagyun township), Ko Maung Che (b) Maung
Myo Ko (from Maebon township) and  Ko Kyaw Lin Maung (from Mrauk U township).

They were arrested from various military checkpoints in Kyauk Taw township during the period when the junta forces were engaged in gunfighting with the Arakan Army members last year. They are suspected to be member-well wishers of the AA.

Currently, they are being detained at Kyauk Taw Myoma police station.  Because of repeated postponements of trials, most of the Rakhine detainees are suffering, alleged the family members.