For Democracy & Human Rights
Web Site of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma

 

Burma military intelligence trials delayed

Jan 20 (AFP) - The trials of more than 300 people, including 26 high-ranking officers from Myanmar's disbanded military intelligence unit, have been have been delayed to allow legal teams time to fully prepare, a source at the country's largest prison said Thursday.

The trials were due to begin Thursday, but a legal expert inside the Insein prison near Yangon said 10 tribunals inside the jail were still being set up and proceedings would not begin until Monday at the earliest.

"They will have access to their own defense lawyers and hand-picked family members will be allowed to attend the trials," said the source, who did not want to be named.

The trials are expected to be concluded at Insein prison within 45 days once they begin. Thousands of people have been summoned for closed-door preliminary hearings in recent months.

Among those summoned were military intelligence personnel, government employees, civilians and members of former ethnic armed groups known to have been deeply involved with military intelligence in various business enterprises, prison sources have said.
Former premier Khin Nyunt headed military intelligence for two decades. But it has been at the centre of a wide-ranging purge following his sacking and arrest in October on corruption charges. The government began completely dismantling it last month.

Two of Khin Nyunt's children are among those charged. Some of those facing trial at Insein may be accused of conspiring against the state.

Khin Nyunt himself faces several charges including high treason, abuse of power and graft, but is unlikely to be put on trial at this time, sources said.

[Main][News Archieve]