Hpyarpone NLD Member Is Prosecuted With 6 Actions Of Act

December 26, 2007
Original report by Htet Yaza, DVB

Ko Thein Swe, member of National League for Democracy (NLD) party, Hpyarpone, who has been arrested and detained in Insein prison, in connection with public protests in Rangoon, is to be prosecuted, it is reported.

He will appear in court on 2nd January said his father U Min Swe, Member of Parliament, Hpyarpone area 2, who visitied him in Insein prison on 24th of this month. On December 19th, Ko Thein Swe was informed by a police official, a judge from Bahan Magistrate Court and a lawyer, who said he will be prosecuted under the provisions of Acts 292, 124, 505 (B), 143, 145 and 147.

Act 292 deals with the selling and distributing of pornographic books and Act 143 is for joining and being active in organisations which are illegal.

With prosecutions under so many Acts, seem to show a premeditated determination to imprison a man, who did not commit any of the above crimes. Daw Sein Tee, Ko Thein Swe's mother said,' My son would never hurt nor would he steals. For being a straight man, to be prosecuted under all these Acts, that nobody ever even heard of, makes me extremely angry'.

'They can make any accusations they want, but my son and his colleagues are all straightforward people, who do everything for truth and justice. Only time will tell. I am his mother so of course I am very sad and hurt but there is nothing I can do at the moment. I just believe in truth and justice which I hope will be brought back soon.'

According to the senior legal adviser, U Aung Thein, who is working on Ko Thein Swe's case, the trial could not be held in the local magistrate courts because of the seriousness of the prosecution, which involve imprisonments from 6 months to life time.

His family said, when Ko Thein Swe was being arrested at home on 22nd October, no illegal documents were found in the house, no legal documents or search warrant was presented. No evidence to justify the arrest was given.