The special court near Nay Pyi Taw prison charged Win Htein, patron of National League for Democracy (NLD) party, under Section 124 (a) of the Penal Code for the use of words and actions that are intended to encourage to people to oppose a government on July 16, said Defence Lawyer Min Min Soe.

Win Htein was charged under Section 124 (a) of the Penal Code for a letter of appeal directed to the public and his speech at the press conference held on February 1 for hate speech against the government, incitement and slander on the government.

The defence lawyer said, “He was charged as his speech in public had incited hatred, contempt or disaffection against the government. The judge asked him whether he was guilty or not and he replied to the judge that he is innocent. The judge asked him why and he said what he needed to say because he believed it was his responsibility as a leader of a party in power to act based on the political situation at that time. He will be testified in next court hearing.”

The judge asked for the list of witnesses and next court hearing will be on July 30, said the lawyer.