Two Thandwe men arrested for supporting AA, anti-regime forces

14 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2023, Thandwe

Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly arrested two local men in Thandwe District, Arakan State, for allegedly supporting the Arakan Army (AA) and People’s Defence Force (PDF).

Ko Min Thu, a local man from Pazunphyae Village in Thandwe Township, and U Kyaw Swar Soe from Kyeintali town were reportedly arrested by the regime for allegedly supporting the AA and PDF and spreading misinformation on social media to create ethnic conflict.

“He is a philanthropist and sells peanut oil. He has no links with any organisations,” said a friend of Ko Min Thu. DMG continues to attempt to contact family members of the detainees regarding the matter.

The regime has arrested some residents in urban wards in Thandwe and tightened security despite there being no fighting in the area, locals said.

“Regime soldiers conduct overnight guest checks in Thandwe and detain some residents. Some locals have gone into hiding due to the junta’s arrest of civilians,” said a local man in Thandwe.

A local woman from Ward-1 in Thandwe, Arakan State, was arrested for allegedly disrupting national stability on December 7. Ma Mi Mi Khaing, the woman detained, has been accused of using the “Mi Mi Khaing” Facebook account to spread propaganda with the aim of disrupting national stability.

The military regime, which stands credibly accused of violating human rights and committing war crimes in Arakan State, is now making threats to people’s right to information.

Anyone who makes, shares, or assists in disseminating propaganda that will disturb the public can be charged under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, Section 124(a) of the Penal Code, Section 505(a) of the Penal Code and/or Section 33(a) of the Telecommunications Law, the regime has said.

Since renewed fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) broke out on November 13, Myanmar’s military regime has arrested seven residents in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Ann and Thandwe on suspicion of spreading propaganda with the aim of disrupting national stability.