London: A well-known former monk in Burma, who has been released on bail facing trespass charges, has said that the government fear he will lead new protests.
Shin Gambira, now known as Nyi Nyi Lwin after disrobing, was freed in an amnesty in January, but says he has been rearrested several times since then.
He now stands accused of breaking into monasteries.
According to the BBC, Lwin said that his latest detention was really about stopping him taking part in protests over a violent police crackdown on protests against the expansion of a copper mine in northern Burma.
The Monywa copper mine is a joint venture between a Chinese company and the Burmese military.
“The government fears [I will] lead the monk protest. Actually, there are many monks who can lead the protest,” the report quoted Lwin, as saying.
“I think they released me because of the calls of local and international democratic forces who stand for truth and justice,” he added.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 12:02