Families unable to contact 10 Arakanese arrested for alleged AA links more than one month ago

By DMG 25 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
25 May 2022, Haigyi Island, Ayeyarwady Region 

Family members told DMG that they had not been in contact with 10 Arakanese from Haigyi Island in Ayeyarwady Region’s Ngaputaw Township for about a month, after they were arrested on suspicion of having links to the Arakan Army (AA). 

The detainees were identified as Daw Khin San Myint, Daw Yaung Sein, Daw Kalarma Sein and Ma Htay Myint from Ngarpyayma village; an unidentified woman from Haigyi village; and Ko Kyaw Min Htet, Ko Aung Lay, Ko Ye Thiha, Ko Maung Maung and Ko Aung Zaw Htet from Annawah village. 

“We are concerned for the safety of my mother because we have not been in contact. We are worried that the detainees will be beaten and tortured,” said Ko Moe Dee, the son of detained Ngarpyayma villager Daw Khin San Myint. 

Daw Khin San Myint was taken from her home by about 10 junta soldiers and police for questioning on the afternoon of April 20, Ko Moe Dee said. 

The junta has been making arrests in Kanyinchaung, Annawah, Zeephyugaung and Haigyi villages since April 19, with at least 40 people detained since then, locals said. 

About 15 of the detainees, including one woman, were released on May 1, while the rest are believed held at the Haigyi Island Naval Base and have not been allowed contact with family members, according to locals. 

About 15 more detainees were released during the first week of May, while at least 10 others, including Daw Khin San Myint, have not been released to date. 

The 10 detainees are said to be in Pathein Prison, but it is not yet known how to contact them, said a resident of Ngarpyayma village who declined to be named for security reasons. 

“They are reportedly held at Pathein Prison and are charged by regime officials. It is unknown at this time what charges will be filed against them. Family members are not allowed to meet the detainees,” the unnamed resident added. 

DMG repeatedly attempted to contact Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the Myanmar regime, for comment on the matter, but he could not be reached. 

DMG has not been able to independently confirm locals’ claims that detainees are being held at Pathein Prison. 

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) has largely ceased since the two sides reached an unofficial ceasefire toward the end of 2020. But military tensions have risen as junta troops have conducted interrogations of local people and made arrests on suspicion of links to the ethnic armed group.