Four Arakanese youths released after two-year detention on terrorism charges

By DMG 09 Sep 2021

DMG Newsroom
9 September 2021, Sittwe 

The Sittwe District Court on September 9 released four Arakanese youths who were detained for two years under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. 

U Aung Naing Win, a lawyer representing the accused, said the case was dropped because the plaintiff had filed an official withdrawal. 

“The court ruled that the anti-terrorism [charges] were to be dismissed at the recommendation of the Central Committee for Counter Terrorism, but that the court had to withdraw the case with the permission of the prosecuting organisation,” the lawyer said. 

The suspects were identified as Ko Maung Chay, 33, and Ko Nay Lin Tun, 19, from separate villages in Rathedaung Township; Ko Zaw Naing Win, 19, from Sittwe Township and Ko Maung Than Htay, 22, from Pauktaw Township. 

They were arrested near the Ponnagyun police station in July 2019 while they were travelling in a car owned by Ko Maung Chay. 

The four were charged under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA).  

“We are very saddened that we have been detained for so long without any reason. There are still many detainees like us in prison and I want them released,” said Ko Zaw Naing Win. 

Ko Maung Chay’s mother, Daw Ma Aung Thein, said she was happy to see the release of her son and the other youths. 

“When my son was arrested, I was exhausted and had many problems. I am very happy and have been waiting for their release from prison for a long time,” she added. 

More than 200 people were arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law after being accused of associating with the AA during some two years of fighting in Arakan State, according to data from the Thazin Legal Institute.  

Seventeen cases of children under the age of 18 who were arrested on suspicion of illicit AA ties were dropped by the military regime in May of this year. 

U Hla Thein, the information officer and attorney-general of the Arakan State Administration Council, wrote on his Facebook page on August 31 that the government is working to drop more cases filed under the Counter-Terrorism Law in Arakan State.