Court Postpones Jailed US Citizen’s Nyi Nyi Aung Trial to Jan.1
The Burmese court hearing the case against Nyi Nyi Aung, the detained Burmese-born American Citizen and democracy activist, has postponed his trial to Jan. 1 in order to decide charges against him.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, Nyan Win, one of two lawyers representing Nyi Nyi Aung, said the court heard the case for one hour from 10 a.m. before announcing the trial was to be postponed.
The Burmese authorities arrested Nyi Nyi Aung on Sept. 3, accusing him of using a forged Burmese identity card and illegally importing currencies into the country.
Nyi Nyi Aung’s Aunt, Khin Khin Swe, said the Burmese authorities were allowing relatives and representatives from the US embassy in Rangoon to see him once each every two weeks, but family members were not allowed to see him last week after he began a hunger strike.
Nyi Nyi Aung’s 60-year-old mother, Daw San San Tin, and two cousins were arrested and imprisoned for their roles in the pro-democracy movement known as the saffron revolution in 2007. San Tin was sentenced to five years in prison. His cousin was sentenced to 65 years and her husband to seven years.
Nyi Nyi Aung was arrested when he arrived at Rangoon airport from Bangkok. He returned to Burma to visit his mother in prison, according to his fiancée, Wa Wa Kyaw.
Nyan Win said Nyi Nyi Aung’s health appeared to have improved, and they discussed what to say in court on Jan.1 when they met on Tuesday.
A US embassy officer in Rangoon said a US consular officer was allowed to see Nyi Nyi Aung in prison on Monday.
Nyi Nyi Aung’s treatment in prison has attracted worldwide publicity, gaining attention from such groups as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which have issued statements on his case.
Fifty three members of US Congressmen wrote to Snr-Gen Than Shwe on Dec.18 urging him to release Nyi Nyi Aung.
Sen Jim Webb, who traveled to Burma earlier this year and secured the release of US citizen John Yettaw, urged the regime to grant Nyi Nyi Aung all rights guaranteed under international law.
Webb issued a statement on Dec.11 expressing concern about reports that Nyi Nyi Aung was being mistreated in prison.
