Additional charge for Chinese sex workers in illegal Myanmar brothel case

21 June 2018
Additional charge for Chinese sex workers in illegal Myanmar brothel case
The accused are brought to court. Photo: Thet Ko for Mizzima

South Okkalapa Township Police Station Chief Pol. Capt. Shwe Htay said that they were preparing to lodge additional charges with the Immigration Act to 17 Chinese sex workers and two Chinese nationals who allegedly ran a brothel in South Okkalapa under the cover of a beauty and spa business.
He added that these Chinese nationals ran the illegal sex business by holding business visas so that the police was preparing to make additional charge against them through the Immigration Act.
Pol. Capt. Shwe Htay said, “We have a plan to make an additional charge against them for violation of visa rules. We asked for legal advice from law officers. We will make an additional charge against them after getting legal advice.”
He said this after the hearing of the case of 17 Chinese sex workers, two Chinese national managers and local staff totaling 29 at South Okkalapa Township court.
Out of these total 29 accused, 17 Chinese nationals were currently charged under sections 42 and 13(1) of the Immigration Act by Ministry of Immigration besides other charges made under sections of the Suppression of Prostitution Act.
South Okkalapa Police Station said that they were asking for legal advice to make an additional charge against these Chinese nationals accused by Immigration Department.
At the June 20 hearing, the court examined public prosecutor Police Inspector Tint Lwin Oo who submitted the evidence found at the crime scene and the defence attorney pleaded not guilty. The public prosecutor answered questions of the media.
The next hearing is set for 4 July.