46 people accused of illegal AA links see charges dropped, walk free in Union Day order

12 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
12 February 2022, Sittwe          

Forty-six people charged with having illegal ties to the Arakan Army, including several Lekka villagers long detained and on trial for alleged AA affiliations, had their cases withdrawn and were released from multiple prisons on February 12 in a junta gesture marking Myanmar’s Union Day. 

All told, 23 Lekka villagers and three Tharsi villagers were released from Sittwe Prison; 10 walked free from Mrauk-U Prison; six from Kyaukphyu Prison; and two each from Thandwe and Insein prisons, according to author Wai Hin Aung, a former political prisoner. 

“I am satisfied with the situation that my son is released. I do thank the individuals and organisations who helped us,” said the mother of an accused man who was among those released. 

In a February 12 order signed by Lieutenant General Aung Lin Dwe, secretary of the military regime’s State Administration Council, the decision to release the 46 prisoners was described as intended to honour the Diamond Jubilee (75th anniversary) of Union Day, as well as “ensuring durable peace.” 

However, more than 60 other people who were arrested on suspicion of AA affiliation, including five Kyaukseik villagers who have been charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law, were not among those released on Saturday. 

A total of 814 prisoners nationwide were granted Union Day pardons.  

Ousted Kayin State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint, who was sentenced to 75 years in prison on November 9, had her sentence reduced by half in a Pardon Order signed by junta chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing on Union Day. She is 67 years old, making the pardon unlikely to change what effectively remains a life sentence for the former chief minister.