Unity Journal trial to call more witnesses
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The Pakokku District Court today convened its eighth hearing on the Unity Journal case involving five defendants charged for exposing state secrets.
Plaintiff witnesses are expected to testify until Tuesday.
Since the start of trial on February 14, the prosecution has called 18 of 40 plaintiff witnesses to the stand.
The defendants are four reporters and Unity Journal chief executive officer Tint San. They have been indicted under the Official Secrets Act.
They have been detained under the court’s custody. District Judge Maung Maung Htay twice turned down the bail for Tint San. The litigation involves a published story on the No 24 Defence Equipment Factory.
As plaintiff, Lt Colonel Kyaw Kyaw Oo, factory’s administration department head, initiated the lawsuit on January 30.
At the trial, Kyaw Kyaw Oo told the court that the prosecution was prompted by a letter signed by Director General Hla Tun from the Presidential Office.
He and factory officials said there were signboards banning the factory entry, although one of the plaintiff witnesses testified at the last hearing denying the existence of such a ban.
