CHIANG MAI-May 9. Burma police have charged Sai Aik Keng, head of the Namlinmai village sub-office of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy in Keng Tung, with violation of the Unlawful Association Act.

On May 9, the police took Sai Aik Keng to court. When SNLD members visited him, they found that he had been arrested and tortured. Since he was arrested on May 5, he had not been provided with any food by the Burma Army.

Sai Aik Keng was arrested by Burma Army Battalion 245 on May 5. He was taken to the battalion and was threatened to be shot to death. The Burma Army repeatedly asked him, “Where is your gun?” Sai Aik Keng replied, “I have no gun, I have never had a gun.” He told the Burma Army that he was a civilian, and requested to be released. The Burma Army hit his face with a gun causing his face to become bruised.

On May 8, the Burma Army transferred Sai Aik Keng to Military Affairs Security for interrogation. Then, MAS and the Burma Army transferred him to the police. At the police office, the police charged him with the Unlawful Association Act, article 17/1, for contacting the Shan State Army (SSA).

The police in Keng Tung said: “We are in the process of interrogation. We can’t provide any information.”

SNLD spokesperson Sai Leik said: “Sai Aik Keng was charged with violation of the Unlawful Association Act because of contacting SSA. Which SSA? Both SSAs, north and south, have signed a ceasefire with the government. Burma Army should not abuse people who want to build peace. If this is the case, then this means the country has no rule of law.”

Sai Aik Keng was the member of SNLD. He is the leader of ethnic Ann in Keng Tung.