Trial of former religious affairs minister drawing to a close
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The defence team for former religious affairs minister Hsan Sint is preparing to submit its closing argument in the high-profile case at a court in the capital on October 14, according to lawyer Tint Tun.
The former minister – previously chief minister of Ayeywady Region – faces charges of breach of trust over alleged embezzlement of state funds as well as defamation charges for statements that allegedly defamed the government.
Four defence witnesses – including the chief editor of Hot News Journal – testified in the Dhakhina District Court in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, but two other witnesses, including the auditor general, failed to show up.
The prosecution completed its case on the 15th day of the trial, while witnesses for the defence have been testifying for seven days. Witnesses for the plaintiff included the new religious affairs minister and deputy minister, who testified on September 9.
The prosecution called 13 witnesses for its breach of trust charge under Section 409 of the Penal Code and 19 more for its defamation charge under Section 124 (a) of the Penal Code.
The defamation charge was added on September 2, during the 13th day of the trial. The Bureau of Special Investigation filed a case against Hsan Sint on June 19 accusing him of misusing Ks 10 million (US$10,000) of state funds.
