Tin Tun Aung, a Paletwa township resident, was charged by the military junta on 17 March for an interview he gave to the Rakhine-based Western News where he talked about the surrender of soldiers from Battalion-289 based in Paletwa Township, Chin State said a member of his family.

“They charged him today [17 March] under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code for allegedly spreading false news and agitating crimes against a government employee”, his family member said.

The lawsuit was filed by Capt. Tun Tun Naing of Battalion-289 filed in December 2021 following the interview to Western News.

During the court hearing on 17 March Tin Tun Aung pleaded not guilty to the charges, so the plaintiff, Captain Tun Tun Naing was recalled to appear in front of the court on 23 March, according to Tin Tun Aung’s family member.

The junta has also filed a lawsuit against the editor-in-chief and a reporter from the Western News for defaming the state by publishing the interview with Tin Tun Aung.