A lawyer for Ashin Gambira, one of the leaders behind the 2007 “Saffron revolution,” resigned on Wednesday citing the Burmese military government’s failure to allow him to prepare a defense.

The lawyer, Aung Thein, withdrew as the trial was getting underway. Ten other defendants are also standing trial in Insein Prison in Rangoon. 

Aung Thein said that he was not allowed by the court to have information about the case against Ashin Gambira. He told the court he was not given time to refute the 13-page file presented by the prosecutor.  
 
Aung Thein said, “The court didn’t print the file for me in advance. And I didn’t have access to copy it beforehand. So, I didn’t know about the case in advance. I also didn’t have time to discuss the case and prepare with my client, because I can’t discuss the state’s case if I don’t get the file in advance.”

“I requested the court to delay the trial because I need more time. But the court rejected my request so I have no option but to withdraw.”     

Ashin Gambira was a leader of the All Burma Monks Alliance which acted to coordinate the nationwide peaceful protests in September 2007 in Rangoon, in which the UN said 31 protesters died nationwide after Burmese authorities responded with a deadly crackdown.    

The monk went on trial on Wednesday along with ten detainees charged with multiple offenses including article 505 (B)—threatening the stability of the government.    
 
Ashin Gambira is charged with nine separate criminal offenses including: State Offence Act 505 A and B, Immigration Act 13/1, Illegal Organization Act 17/1, Electronic Act 303 A and Organization Act 6.

Following the civil uprising, Ashin Gambira went into hiding but was hunted down and arrested in Sagaing in Mandalay Division on October 4, 2007.