General Ne Win created one of the most pervasive and ruthless military intelligence services in the world during his 26 years of rule, a system later adopted by the current military junta when it assumed power in 1988.

 

Today, evading Burma’s intelligence service seems out of the question, as Ne Win’s own grandsons and their father, Aye Zaw Win, found out in March of this year, When they were arrested on charges of plotting a coup against the regime.

 

Sources say Military Intelligence Services (MIS) officer began detecting “unusual activities” among the three grandsons – Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win – roughly two years ago. The three were notoriously rowdy and powerful young men, who roamed the streets of Rangoon with total impunity. Their flashy motorcades and armed guards were seen by all, and their business empire continued to grow.

 

Other military leaders began to resent the group’s status of being above the law. As their ageing grandfather’s influence began to wane, the regime finally felt they needed to be reined in. Their impunity was not to be tolerated any longer.

 

Last Wednesday, nearly six months after their arrest, the final court proceeding in their three month trial was adjourned, with a death sentence hanging over their heads.

 

Family members, relatives and former girlfriends came to the Insein prison court in a show of solidarity for Aye Zaw Win and his three sons. However, observers at the trial noted that their infamous flamboyant, playboy-like attitudes had been transformed into a more “nervous and serious” look as the severity of their situation began to resonate.

 

“I sensed that they were much more serious than before, by just looking at their demeanor,” one observer said. “ In the past, they were much more non-chalant, but as the trial progressed I think they began to realise the seriousness of the situation.”

 

According to eyewitness accounts, the group’s attorney, Tun Sein, argued up until the last minute that the charges were unsubstantiated. But observers said he faild “to ask striking questions” and simply dismissed the numerous pieces of evidence.

 

“We did nothing illegal,” Aye Ne Win, who studied international law and human rights in London, reportedly told the judge during the trial. “We never discuss politics at home and we have no interest in politics or have any political ambition.”

 

Sources said Ne Win’s eldest grandson repeatedly told the judge that they had no plan to stage a coup.

 

Prosecutors, however, argued that the flamboyant foursome had broken law after law by importing telecommunications eqipment, autoomobiles and other goods illegally. Charging this firstclass family with such petty crimes in the past would have been incomprehensible, observers say.

 

One Rangoon based political observer who attended the trial said: “They were special people and members of Burma’s top family. You couldn’t go and accuse them of illegally bringing goods into the country. Who would dare ask them that question?”

 

When prosecutors accused them of bringing “illehal items” such as radios and uniforms into Burma, Aye Ne Win reportedly short back at the judge: “We were permitted to do so. We were privileged people.”

 

Ne Win’s protégé, Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, who is also head of the MIS and a powerful leader in the current military government, turned a blind eye to their activities for years. But observers say that with his own political power at stake, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt ceased putting his own neck at risk in order to guard the family from the law.

 

General Kyaw Win, deputy chief of the MIS, said Ne Win’s family had admitted that the government’s policies were affecting their businesses negatively, and that “they were unhappy as they were no longer enjoying the special privileges they had before”.

 

Courtroom observers said the prosecution appeared to have sufficient evidence to back up its treason charges, although no one could be certain if the evidence was legitimate. Journalists and observers at the trial said that though some evidence provided by prosecutors was weak, the testimony by two army officers sealed their fate.

 

Army officers Major Thet Myo Aung and Colonel Than Htay told the court the accused had met with them to discuss a coup plot that involved kidnapping selected military leaders.

 

With the case officially closed, the buzz in Rangoon has turned to the four’s imminent sentencing. If found guilty, they face the death penalty, with the verdict to be handed down on Sept 26.

 

“Many do not believe that they will face the death penalty. They felt the trial was a sham,” said one veteran Rangoon based journalist. “But I think they will receive life [sentences]”

 

Although the death penalty still exists oin Burma, It has not been used officially for 10 years.

 

Last month, Aung Pwint Khaung, a well known astrologer who was arrested along with the Ne Win family members, was sentenced to 21 years for his role in the alleged coup.

 

Political observers who are close to the military government say the sentence is no longer important because it can be commuted. Some feel suspended sentences may even be levied. Judge U Aung Ngwe has said his court would handle the case fairly and impartially.

 

Although Ne Win stepped down in 1988, many believed until recently that he still called the shots from behind the scenes. But now “the message is clear that [the military leaders] are no longer Ne Win’s puppers”, one observer said.

 

“The point is that the current leaders are determined to distance themselves from this family, and they want to show that there is no connection whatsoever.”  
 

Others feel the arrests, and the subsequent court proceedings, were politically motivated and designed to send a strong message to the regime’s international critics namely that the Ne Win era is over.

 

But critics say that despite efforts by the regime to distance itself from Ne Win and his inner circle, there are still plenty of power hungry junior Ne Win’s in the ranlks. “When Ne Win was in power, he was the only one, but now we have many Ne Win’s power,” said one political analyst.