CNI News
30 Mar 2023
A Rakhine youth who was suspected in the death of a Thai national for 10 months has been acquitted, Labour Activist Ko Thein Tun of the Migrant Workers Rights Network, who has been helping the accused, told the CNI.
The youth is from Sittwe and faced trial since June, 2022 because his fingerprints were found at the scene of a murder of a Thai national at the Thai-Malaysia border. He was acquitted by a court of seven judges on 28th March, 2023.
He said, "The presiding judge said he had been acquitted. However, the prosecution can lodge an appeal against the decision within 30 days and he will have to wait. Ko Aung Ko Win will not be sent back to jail and will be detained at the Songkhla Province Police Station, which arrested him previously, because authorities do not have power to detain him in prison. The prosecution will decide whether to lodge an appeal against the court decision. So, we don't know when he can return home precisely. However, witness statements and evidence firmly showed that the case has nothing to do with him. The prosecution lawyers are very smart but they cannot provide firm evidence and witnesses. It is their weakness."
Ko Aung Ko Win and his lawyer.
Moreover, another suspect in the case, who has been sentenced to two years and three months for a human trafficking case, has also been acquitted of the murder case.
She is glad to hear that her son has been acquitted and she wants her son to come back home as soon as possible, Daw Than Kyi May, the mother of Ko Aung Ko Win, told the CNI.
She said, "It is the happiest day in my life. When he comes back, our family will lead a happy life together. I want him to come back to us today. I haven't heard his voice. I am sure he will come back after one month has passed. I would like to thank Ko Thein Tun, who offered help for the release of my son. We don't have anything to offer except expressing gratitude.
As the two suspects has been detained for ten months, compensation will be sought for them, Ko Thein Tun told the CNI.
Ko Aung Ko Win's lawyer and officials from the MWRN in front of the court.
He said, "As they detained Ko Aung Ko Win and Ko San Aye for ten months, we will seek compensation for them. We have asked them to sign the compensation forms, which we will complete them today and submit to the court. However, whether the court will grant compensation for them or not.
As the body of a Thai worker was found at the Thai-Malaysia border on 31 May, authorities detained more than 300 Myanmar migrants who were trying to enter Malaysia illegally for questioning. As his fingerprints were found at the crime scene, Ko Aung Ko Win was detained and charged with murder.
