Two Kyauk Phyu township youths, who were arrested and prosecutedunder section 505(a), face lengthy suffering because of the military prosecutors’ failure to the attend thecourt proceedings for 45 times.

Family members of the detainees (Ko Sai Wunna Kyaw, 28 and Ko Tun Tun Zaw, 20) allege it as a great loss forthem.

The military council scheduled a trial date for them on 30 June, but two prosecution witnesses did not cometo the trial and hence it was rescheduledto 14 July.

Kyauk Phyu township court examined four prosecutorsand witnesses, butfive witnesses, including two military officers, are yet to be examined.

A worried member of their families from Murai village informed that because of their insincerity both theyoung men continue to suffer.

"We came to the trial with a lot of expenses and also troubles because of rainy days. But they have taken itlightly and gone canceling the trials.The witnesses have refused to come forward. It has been going on for many years. We are not onlylosing money, but also time and energy.The accused youths are being tortured without any logic. This is how their human rights have beenviolated," he added.

Arrested Sai Wunna Kyaw is a carpenter by profession and Tun Tun Zaw is a student pursuing distance learninguniversity courses.

On 24 June last 2022, when they came to Zin Chaung village under the same township to buy some items, theywere stopped by five policemen fromthe local station. Later they were taken to Zin Chaung police station for questioning, stated afamily source.

Next day, they were allowed to meet family members in themorning hours and by eveningthey were taken to an army battalion for further interrogations. Later they werearrested following a lawsuit by a local police officer.

During the conflict days across Rakhine State, when the junta soldiers were fighting against the ArakanArmy members, many innocent Rakhine people were arrested suspecting their links with theAA. Locals claim that ahuge loss on the part of defendants is taking place because of the failed prosecution inabsence of the prosecutors.