Union calls for release of student charged with abduction of Chinese

The demand was made as she appeared in Yinmabin District Court for her second hearing yesterday. 

The first hearing took place on September 15. Yesterday, the court questioned plaintiff Hla Sein, the project in charge from Myanmar Economic Holdings, and two plaintiff witnesses – project legal adviser Aung Myint and district commissioner Zaw Myo Nyunt.   

Phyu Hnin Htwe, who is also a member of Mandalay Ba-ka-tha, sought release on bail but judge Nwe Nwe Yi rejected it and decided to resume the trial on September 30 and October 1. 

The defendant is said to be a student at Mandalay University of Distance Education, majoring in Myanmar language. She reportedly applied for bail to appear for a second-year final exam set to take place soon. 

“I’m not involved in the kidnappings. I was living in the village to teach children and serve the interest of local farmers,” Phyu Hnin Htwe said, while leaving the court after the hearing. “I’m keeping good health in custody. I will continue to stand by the local farmers for their interest,” she added. 

Upper Myanmar Ba-ka-tha vice-chairman Nway Oo Ko said the accusation and the filing of a case against the student were unfair. 

“Such an accusation and bringing her to a court are unfair. Our Ba-ka-tha will continue to demand her release. We will campaign for her release. First, seven people were charged and then five acquitted. What is our judicial system because the remaining two are still on trial? Are they doing this because they have a grudge against Ba-ka-tha?” Nway Oo Ko asked.   

In the court compound, about 200 Ba-ka-tha members were chanting slogans, demanding immediate release of the student, the abolishing of draconian laws and granting of rights to students.  

Chinese men Lu Yuanhao and Miu Jie, who were working on the project, were abducted while they were conducting a land survey on May 18, near Sede Village.