YANGON: Dozens of Myanmar activists went on trial on Tuesday in a case that has sparked international alarm and raised fears of a return to junta-era tactics in the slowly reforming nation.
The mostly young activists were arrested two months ago during a police crackdown on student-led protests calling for education reform in what was one of the most concerted challenges to the government of reformist Prime Minister Thein Sein. The 70 accused are facing a raft of charges including unlawful assembly and rioting — offences that lawyers say could see them jailed for up to almost 10 years.
Around 200 supporters and family members gathered outside the courthouse in the central town of Tharrawaddy as the students arrived, many of them shouting slogans, the reporter at the scene said.
"The trial will take place every Tuesday," lawyer Aung Thein, who is representing some of the students, told the reporter.
Agence France-Presse
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/myanmar-protesters-go-on-trial/
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