Over 40 Mandalay lawyers face lawsuits for joining Myanmar protests, five journalists freed after signing confessions

Lawyers seen protesting in Mandalay city. - Eleven Media Group

YANGON (Eleven Media Group/ANN): Lawsuits are reportedly underway against about 40 lawyers who staged an anti-coup protest in Mandalay city under Section 505 (b) of the penal code of Myanmar, according to sources from the legal community.

Complaints are being filed at courts to charge the lawyers with sedition for their participation in the protests against the military coup on Feb 1.

“We heard that complaints have been lodged to Chanayethazan Township Court to sue the 40 lawyers under Section 505 (b) of the penal code. I don’t know if I am included or not, ” said a local advocate in Mandalay.

Sources from the judicial circle also say that other township courts are receiving complaints to sue the lawyers who joined the ongoing protests under section 505 (b) and Section 188, which is related to violating Section 144. -

It was also learnt that five journalists arrested by the military during a protest at Bukha Malidha power plant in Myitkyina were released on Monday.

Chief Editor Twe Aung from the 74 Media and Naw Sai, Sai Latt Aung from Mizzima News Media, Yang Kaung, chief editor of Eternal Peace Network and Wai Yan from the same media were arrested by the military at 9pm on Feb 14.

Their release was coordinated by the Kachin Peace talk Creation Group (PCG) with the northern command headquarters.

“The military accused us of covering news although martial law was enacted. They also accused us of spreading false news while we were live streaming. They also said we are inviting the KIA. We were forced to sign a confession letter.

"As my media is a legally registered media, I pointed out that I never spread false news and never invited the KIA. They agreed to cancel these terms but I still had to sign the confession, ” said Htwe Aung from the 74 Media.

Protesters gathered at the Bukha Malidha power plant in Myitkyina where military troops were deployed on Feb 14. The military used force to crack down on the protest and the journalists were detained in the incident.- - Eleven Media Group/Asia News Network