Alleged offenders in connection with Unity Journal’s report of Secret Chemical Weapon Factory brought to court

Nay Pyi Taw, 15 Feb

As the department concerned on 30 January filed a lawsuit against the reporter and the in-charge of Unity Journal for printing a news report about No (24) Defence Industry under the headline “Secret Chemical Weapon Factory” with photos in the Unity Journal, Vol. 3 No 4, issued on 25 January and disclosing State secrets, trespassing on the restricted area of the factory, taking photographs and the act of abetting, Pauk Myoma police station opened the case No (Pa)8/2014 under Myanmar Official Secret Act Section 3 (1) (a)/9.

According to findings of the investigation and legal advices, the alleged offenders— U Tin Hsan, 52, of Dagon Myothit (South) Township, U Lu Maw Naing (a) Lin Kyaw Oo (a) Lu Maw, 28, of Pauk, U Sithu Soe, 22, of Pyapon, U The Yazar Oo (a) Yazar Oo (a) Ko The, 28, of Hlinethaya Township and U Aung Thura (a) Paing Thet Kyaw, 25, of North Okkalapa Township— were brought before Pakokku district court under 1923 Myanmar Official Secret Act Section 3/9 on 14 February, 2014 and  they are presently on trial at the court.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ma Lwin Lwin Myint, 38, of Pauk who was allowed to go free on 4 February in accord with Article 170 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure was released on bail in accord with Article 169 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as there was not enough evidence to send her to the court.