Hkun Htun Oo's trial tomorrow

Politics

Hkun Htun Oo's trial tomorrow

Reporter: Chai Sayam

Hkun Htun Oo, leader of Burma's second largest party, is to go on trial tomorrow, according to Shan Nationalities League for Democracy sources on the border:

The 61-year old Shan, whose uncle the Prince of Hsipaw had disappeared after being detained by the military during the 1962 coup, is facing several charges including defamation of the state and association with outlawed parties. "He will not only go to jail, if convicted," a legal source told S.H.A.N., "but all his assets face impoundment." Hkun Htun Oo, who was taken to an unspecified location for interrogation, had only been escorted back to Rangoon a few days ago.

Meanwhile, authorities are still conducting a thorough going-over at Japan's Overseas Courier Service Rangoon office that he had headed since 1984. "The day-to-day affairs has been looked after by his son, Hkun Oo Lwin, for two years now," said a staff member of the OCS whose operations had ceased by order from the government since 14 February. "But Hkun Htun Oo, as authorized representative, must shoulder any irregularities either dug up or made up by the authorities."

Sao Kya Seng

The story of Hkun Htun Oo's uncle Sao Kya Seng has been immortalized in Twilight over Burma: My life as a Shan Princess by Inge Sargent, Silkworm Books.