The Delhi-based Mizzima News, an independent exiled Burmese news agency, told SEAPA that, if found guilty, Sonny could face a prison term of seven to 14 years.

Sonny's wife, Yamin Htin Aung, is currently helping to run the newspaper as deputy chief executive officer. Myanmar Times has been unable to update its website since Sonny's arrest on 26 November 2004.

SEAPA sources in Rangoon say Sonny, 36, was one the first media personalities arrested following the September ouster of General Khin Nyunt as prime minister. Sonny's father, Brigadier General Thein Swe, was also detained.

Other military intelligence-affiliated publications have been forced to close down since then. Under Military Intelligence (MI) supervision, Myanmar Times circumvented regular scrutiny from the Press Scrutiny Board, which falls under the MI's rival office within the bureaucracy, the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sonny's trial was originally set for 3 February. It was postponed for unknown reasons. His trial is one among 300 ongoing trials of Khin Nyunt's associates who are accused by the military junta of corruption and economic crimes. The trials are expected to last six weeks.

BACKGROUND:

Sonny co-founded Myanmar Times with Australian publisher Ross Dunkley. The journal has a weekly circulation of 25,000 copies in Burmese and 3,000 copies in English. It was registered under the Office of Strategic Studies, which was formerly controlled by Khin Nyunt. It is the only publication in Burma that receives foreign investment.

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