U Khin Maung Myint, Deputy Judge from the Northern District Court, said that there are a total of 80 witnesses according to the witness list submitted by the plaintiff.

“I cannot estimate the timeline for the case because there are a lot of witnesses,” he said.

The alleged shooter, U Kyi Lin, and U Aung Win Zaw were charged under the Arms Act for transporting and possessing arms, but U Aung Win Zaw’s lawyer had said that plaintiff Police Captain U Mya Tun Kyaw from Mingaladon township police station did not submit to the court how his client was involved in the Arms Act.

Lawyer U Aung Khaing told reporters after the trial on March 24 that the plaintiff testified that the gun and ammunition was seized at Mingladon township, but police did not find any evidence in his client’s car.

U Kyi Lin along with the other suspects connected to the assassination – U Aung Win Zaw, U Zayar Phyo and the recently arrested UAung Win Tun -- will face questioning by a tribunal of judges which was formed on March 14. 

The tribunal is made up of the Deputy Judge from the Northern District Court, the Associate Judge from the Eastern District Court and a judge from the Western District Court.

The four men were charged under section 302 of the Penal Code for committing a crime as a group with a common intention (section 34), and harbouring an offender (section 212).

U Kyin Lin and U Aung Win Zaw have also been charged under the Arms Act and U Zayar Phyo, under section 67 of the Telecommunications Law.

Another suspect, former military officer U Aung Win Khaing, believed to be the mastermind behind the assassination, is still at large. Police have submitted a request for a warrant of arrest to be issued.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that any new development into U Ko Ni’s murder will only be possible with U Aung Win Khaing’s arrest.

U Ko Ni was shot dead outside the Yangon International Airport. U Nay Win, a taxi driver, was also shot and killed by the gunman while trying to chase down the perpetrators.