MYANMAR-STUDENTS/COURT Myanmar students' case badly hurts government image ahead of elections - defense lawyers
Record ID:
145994
MYANMAR-STUDENTS/COURT Myanmar students' case badly hurts government image ahead of elections - defense lawyers
- Title: MYANMAR-STUDENTS/COURT Myanmar students' case badly hurts government image ahead of elections - defense lawyers
- Date: 28th July 2015
- Summary: THARRAWADDY, MYANMAR (JULY 28, 2015) (REUTERS) POLICE STANDING ALONG ROADSIDE AS POLICE VEHICLE DRIVES PAST POLICE VEHICLE DRIVING POLICE PRISONER TRUCKS DRIVING PAST, STUDENTS CHANTING FROM INSIDE MORE OF POLICE VEHICLES DRIVING POLICEMEN STANDING NEXT TO REAR OF POLICE TRUCK FEMALE STUDENTS WALKING OUT OF BACK OF POLICE TRUCK VARIOUS OF POLICE ESCORTING STUDENTS, PARENTS AND RELATIVES GREETING STUDENTS ON THE WAY PAST MALE STUDENT GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND CHANTING "DEMOCRACY EDUCATION" VARIOUS OF MALE STUDENTS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND WALKING PAST POLICE STUDENTS BEING GREETED WITH FLOWERS (SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) DEFENSE LAWYER, HTAY OO, SAYING: "It is difficult to know whether the verdict will be during elections or not. But this case will have direct impact on the current government, especially during an election. The support of the government will go down because of this case, as will the (support of the) Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)" STUDENTS SMILING FOR PHOTOS INSIDE COURT (SOUNDBITE) (Burmese) STUDENT LEADER, NANDA SIT AUNG, SAYING: "The government is not making an authentic change. They are pretending to show that they are reforming to the international community. We students can take off their masks. It is the same as before." LAWYERS, STUDENTS AND POLICE OFFICERS INSIDE COURT VARIOUS OF STUDENTS SITTING INSIDE COURT POLICES SITTING NEAR SIGN READING (Burmese): "DISTRICT COURT" POLICE STANDING GUARD AT GATE TO DISTRICT COURT EXTERIOR OF DISTRICT COURT BUILDING
- Embargoed: 12th August 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Myanmar
- Country: Myanmar
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6OY2VIR5DG572MS2AMG14AXG8
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A Myanmar defense lawyer for students charged with rioting and gathering for illegal protest said on Tuesday (July 28) the case will damage support for the government ahead of the upcoming general elections.
"It is difficult to know whether the verdict will be during elections or not. But this case will have direct impact on the current government, especially during an election. The support of the government will go down because of this case, as will the (support of the) Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)," said Htay Oo, referring to the government's party led by President Thein Sein.
Around 40 students, many cheering democracy slogans, arrived at the district court in Bago region to attend their hearing on Tuesday as part of the court process.
Earlier in May, police dispersed and arrested 127 students and activists who protested against the educational bill. Many of them were soon released, but those remaining were charged with rioting and taking part in an unlawful gathering.
Myanmar announced it would hold a general election on November 8, the first nationwide ballot since the end of direct military rule and a vote that could decide the scope of the country's reform.
But the leader of the student group on Tuesday condemned the government's insincerity.
"The government is not making an authentic change. They are pretending to show that they are reforming to the international community. We students can take off their masks. It is the same as before," said Nanda Sit Aung.
If found guilty, the students face a possible one year imprisonment and 30,000 kyat ($24 USD) fine. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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