Judge 'blocks' defence questions in monks case

It was reported that at Friday’s session at Tamwe Township Court, which was the fourth hearing into the case involving the five monks, presiding judge San Aung ruled out most questions prepared by the defence for plaintiff Sein Maw, head of Yangon Region Religious Affairs Department.

“Of the five monks facing charges, three have not been interrogated yet. The difference between last week and this week is I felt our lawyers were pressured not to ask the questions they wanted to. Some questions raised by the lawyers were forbidden while some were objected to. At the moment, I cannot answer which is which. We are still banned from revealing what has been said in the court or we could be sued. We will answer only after we received permission to do so,” said London Sayadaw U Ottara. 

Media is blocked from observing the trial. Police security at the court was beefed up. 

Sein Maw filed a case against the five monks for religious violations allegedly committed under the religious legislation on Sangha Organisation and Section 295 (a) of the Penal Code.

“We questioned the plaintiff about the charge made under Sangha Organisation Law,” said Nay La, U Ottara’s lawyer. “It’s clear to me that my client would be convicted.”

He added that the Maha Sangha Nayaka Committee was not concerned with the impact on the five monks. 

During the third court hearing, Sadayaw U Ottara called for the truth.

The five monks, including Sadayaw, were defrocked but later regained monkhood. 

Magway Monastery abbot Sadayaw Pamaukkha, Shwenyawah Sadayaw, and other monks attended Friday’s hearing. The fifth court hearing will be held at noon on July 18.

 

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