Chin youths arrested in May and charged with incitement had their trial rescheduled until August 2, after authorities closed the courts because of Burma’s third wave.
The July 26 trial for the five youths charged with Article 505 (a) of Burma’s Penal Code will convene on August 2, a woman close to their families told Khonumthung News.
Authorities detained the youths after two explosions went off in Paletwa town, southern Chin State. Altogether, armed forces arrested eighteen people, including members of a civil society organisation, later releasing thirteen. On June 17, they charged the five youths with Article 505 (a) for collecting donations for civilians affected by fighting between the Chinland Defence Force and military in Mindat Township.
They have been in jail since their arrests on May 28. Their families said they are sick with the flu.
“Everybody knows that these youths are not guilty. We want authorities to release them immediately…These are educated people, and they didn’t break any law,” said a man from Paletwa, asking for his name not to be published. “In my opinion, authorities want our younger generation to suffer mental trauma.”
The youths are Aik Min, a singer, Aik Tun Min, Aik Tun Min, an employee of the government’s forestry department, Aung Tun Soe, Ah Luu and Yar Kyaw, director of the Agga Paylu Social Development Foundation.