Jun 24, 2008 (DVB), Four local officials in Rangoon’s San Chaung township have been charged under gambling laws after police went to arrest them for aid misappropriation and found them in the middle of a card game.

The four officials included the township Peace and Development Council chairman and the PDC secretary, locals said.

Locals alleged that the officials had misappropriated rice and zinc sheets intended to be given as aid to cyclone victims and sold them on the black market.

Although the Burmese regime has stated that anyone found to have stolen or hoarded aid will face charges, the officials were instead detained for violating gambling laws.

The officials appeared at San Chaung township court to hear the charges under section 14(a) of the gambling law and were told they are not eligible for bail.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw