The Mandalay Region High Court on March 8 ruled that former chief minister of Mandalay Region Dr Zaw Myint Maung would be prosecuted for all five charges against him under the anti-corruption law.

“The court decided that he was to be prosecuted for all his five charges under section 55 of the anti-corruption law. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The next court hearing is on March 10 in which the plaintiffs and plaintiff witnesses will testify,” said one of Dr Zaw Myint Maung’s lawyer team.

On July 6 last year, the Ministry of Information reported that the former chief minister accepted a bribe of US$100,000 in three batches from a businessman engaging in some projects in Mandalay Region when he was receiving medical treatment in Thailand in 2019.

During the previous trial on February 18 this year, three of the five cases were heard, and business tycoon Maung Weik testified.

Maung Weik first accused Dr Zaw Myint Maung, who is suffering from cancer, of accepting medical costs when he was hospitalized in Thailand. But during the February 18 court hearing, Maung Weik said he paid the money as donations.

Some local media also reported that the National League for Democracy’s Health Network paid for the medical expenses of Dr Zaw Myint Maung and the air tickets for his accompanying eldest son.

Dr. Zaw Myint Maung and ex-regional minister for electricity Zarni Aung were charged at Mandalay Region high court for their cases under anti-corruption law. Their cases are being heard in a specially-set up court in Ohbo Prison.

Dr Zaw Myint Maung has already been sentenced to four years in prison—two years for defamation and two years for breaching the natural disaster law.