by Myint Maung
Friday, 30 October 2009 22:35
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The case relating to the Burmese born American, Nyi Nyi Aung (alias) Kyaw Zaw Lwin, has been transferred to Rangoon’s Southern district court by the special court in Rangoon’s Insein prison on Friday.
Defence lawyers said, the Mingalardon Township judge, who presided over the court inside the notorious prison, on Friday announced that the trial will now be held in the Southern district court. The next hearing is on November 16.
“The judge did not give any reasons for the transfer of the case to another court. Though it is not outside the procedure to transfer the case, it also means that the case would be handled by a higher court,” said Kyi Win, one of the defence counsels.
He added that while the charges remain the same, it is also possible for the higher court to add more charges against the accused.
Currently, prosecutors – the Mingalardon Township Police – have charged Nyi Nyi Lwin of fraudulence and forgery of a Burmese national identity card. But the accused has pleaded not guilty.
Nyi Nyi Aung was arrested on September 3, when he arrived at the Rangoon international airport from Thailand. He is currently detained in Insein prison and his lawyers said he is in good health. However, family members are still unable to meet him.
Nyi Nyi Aung was a student activist, who fled to Thailand in the wake of the military crackdown on protesters during the 1988 nation-wide uprising. He later resettled in United States and was naturalised as a citizen.
The US embassy in Rangoon has reportedly provided assistance, arranged a meeting between him and an embassy official in the prison and provided lawyers to defend him.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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