Former Buddhist monk activist Gambira, who is already facing charges of vandalism and trespassing at Rangoon’s Bahan township court, has now been indicated on the same charges at Thanlyin township court.

Gambira, now known by his layman name Nyi Nyi Lwin, is currently serving a six month-prison term under an immigration charge. Three days ahead of his due date for release, on 28 June, he was charged with vandalism and trespassing at Bahan township court, allegedly for trying to break into a monastery in 2012.

On 3 June, Thanlyin township court indicted him on the same charges for committing a similar offence at a monastery in Thanlyin.

Convicted for his role in leading demonstrations during the Saffron Revolution of 2007, Gambira was amnestied from prison in 2012. It is believed that he then slept and sheltered in abandoned monasteries as he had nowhere else to go.

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“I am sad as all this is happening just when I was due to be released,” said Gambira, speaking at the Thanlyin township court on Thursday.

“But, in a way, it is good to get these remaining charges over with.”