Soothsayer linked to Ne Win family coup plot gets 21 years in jail ( AP ) July 27, 2002


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Soothsayer linked to Ne Win family coup plot gets 21 years in jail

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - A soothsayer employed by relatives of former dictator Ne Win to give them spiritual guidance in an alleged coup plot has been sentenced to 21 years in prison in a separate case involving public security, his lawyer said Friday.

Soothsayer Myo Myint Aung, better known as Setkya Aung Pwint Khaung, was sentenced by a special court last week under the Emergency Provisions Act and Printing and Publishing Act, said one of his lawyers, Ye Lin. Setkya Aung was accused of printing photograpjs of himself and distributing them to followers without proper registration.

In Myanmar, also called Burma, followers of famous monks or soothsayers keep photos of their mentors for luck. Military-ruled country is known for draconian controls over publication.

The lawyers for Setkya Aung Pwint Khaung have said the printing and distribution was done by others."My client will submit an appeal," said Ye Lin.

The case was conducted separately from the treason trial of former dictator Ne Win's son-in-law Aye Saw Win, and Ne Win's three grandsons, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win.However, the government has continued throughout to link alleged black magic rituals to the alleged coup plot. The junta has a record of harshly treating opponents, who often receive the most severe possible sentences.

The government contends Ne Win's relatives tried to recruit military units to kidnap junta leaders and force them to form a new regime loyal to Ne Win. They were arrested on March 7 and have been on trial since May 10.

Ye Lin, the soothsayer's lawyer, said his client "is not involved in high treason case."

In addition to high treason, punishable by death, Ne Win's relatives are charged with inciting military personnel to commit high treason and the illegal importation and use of telecommunications equipment.All four have pleaded innocent. Their trial continued Friday at the special tribunal inside Insein prison in the capital, Yangon.

Setkya Aung Pwint Khaung was arrested in March together with them, but not charged in connection with their case. He had been employed by Kyaw Ne Win as a consultant at his company, which the prosecution contends served as a personal militia for Ne Win's family.The soothsayer testified as a prosecution witness in the treason case.

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