Youths' Charges Reduced To Just One

10 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB

Four youths, including a university student who were facing 7 charges against them, are now only to be charged under one section : 505 B, it is reported.

Three young men, Ko Si Thu Maung, Ko Ye' Min Oo and Ko Kyi Phyu and a teenage University student Maung Ye' Myat Hein, who have been all detained in Insein prison were facing 7 different charges. However, on 2nd January, U Aye Maung, a judge, who came to see them in prison, explained that they will be charged under section 505 B only and the trial will be held at Bahan magistate court , on 16th of this month, according to Ye' Myat Hein's father U Khin Maung Cho, who visited him.

"When I asked for permission for the boys to see the lawyer, I was told that it is a matter to be dealt with under the Department of Prisons Management. When I went to the Department of Prisons Management, I was told that they will be allowed to see the lawyer on the day of the trial", said U Khin Maung Cho.

He talked of the relief the families felt, when they learnt about the reduction of the charges but there are still some worries about the exams that the students have missed.

"My son was the first year student so he missed exams for 3 subjects, which he needs to resit. We are hoping that he can resit them at the end of January. It is every parent's wish that their kids continue with their education. We are all hoping that all students who have been arrested and detained, like De Nyein Linn, should be allowed to resit their exams", he added.

Ye' Myat Hein, 17 was arrested last October and was subject to torture during the interrogation, while in detention.

According to visitors of Insein prison, Ko Aung Naing of 8888 generation student and all the monks, who are being held there, are to be charged under 'emergency project' ,Section of Act 5 (J)