Trial of detained Burmese-American begins

by Mungpi
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:00

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Detained Burmese born American citizen Kyaw Zaw Lwin (alias) Nyi Nyi Aung, was put on trial in a court in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison on Wednesday presided over by judges from the Mingalardon Township court.

The court adjourned on the day after hearing the prosecution’s submission against the pro-democracy activist. It fixed the next hearing for October 23, one of the defence attorney’s, Kyi Win told Mizzima.

“Practically nothing happened in the court today. The judges were from Mingalardon Township court. The court adjourned after announcing the date for the next hearing,” Kyi Win said.

The prosecution charged the Burmese born American citizen of cheating or fraud and forging travel documents, the attorney said.

“The accused categorically denied having committed fraud and forgery,” Kyi Win added.

Kyaw Zaw Lwin was arrested on September 3 at the Rangoon International airport while coming from Bangkok. Burma’s state-run media, the New Light of Myanmar, earlier accused him of being involved in anti-government activities and of being in touch with opposition organizations in exile.

The newspaper also said he had entered Burma eight times and had been providing financial assistance to underground activists to foment unrest in the country.

The former student activist fled Burma to Thailand in the wake of the military junta’s crackdown on protesters during the 1988 uprising. He later migrated to United States, where he was naturalized as a citizen.