During the first hearing in the case, lawyer Ma Hka told the court that Lahtaw Brang Shawng was arrested for unlawful association with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). Ma Hka said he requested the court to allow Lahtaw Brang Shawng to receive medical treatment by a doctor because for his mental health and for the court to record the wounds he received under torture.
He said Judge Myint Htoo denied the first request, but granted the second.
The defendant appeared in the court in handcuffs. Ze Nyoi, Lahtaw Brang Shawng’s wife, said, “He seemed in fear of everybody. He seemed to have a mental illness. When he was sitting in the court, he laughed by himself. And he said he could not eat. He said that when he ate, his throat hurt too much.” She said she believed hot objects were placed against his cheeks, because he had red scars on his face.
Lahtaw Brang Shawng was arrested by Police on June 17 and was then transferred to a Military Affairs Security Unit. He was charged under section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act for being a KIO member. Lahtaw Brang Shawng is being held in Myitkyina Prison in Kachin State. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday.
2012.07.12 Mizzima court-rejects-appeal-for-medical-treatment