Judgement day for Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung

The jailed Karen National Union leader, Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung will go to sentence on 13 March. His lawyer, said the court scheduled the decision date after hearing from both sides on March 8.

“I tried to defend him at the hearing and explained to the judge why Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung should be released. The prosecutor also gave reasons to the judge why Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung should be punished. The judge will make final decision next Tuesday [March 13].”

The jailed KNU leaders lawyer, U Kyi Myint, spoke about the brief meeting he had with the Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung and said he looked like he was suffering stress from the immense pressure.

“He really wants to get the sentencing done as fast as he can. But if the process is too rushed, he could get the death or life sentence. There is no way to reduce it. I want to try to get him freed. But Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung told us ‘don’t take too long’. I feel like he is in suffering a lot or pressure.”

Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung’s troubles started in July 2010 when Chinese immigration officials in Kunming arrested him while he was traveling on a Burmese passport. Earlier he had been refused entry to Thailand and was sent back to China from Bangkok. China then deported him to Burma in August, where he has been held in jail.

Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung was charged with treason and having connections with illegal organizations – namely the KNU and other ethnic opposition groups. If he is found guilty of those charges, he will face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.

Padoh Mahn Nyein Maung is a member of the KNU central executive committee and a committee member of the ethnic alliance – United Nationalities Federal Council consisting of 12 difference ethnic groups.