Regime sentences dozens of Byaing Phyu villagers to 3 years in prison

By Admin 30 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
30 August 2024, Sittwe

A court inside Sittwe Prison sentenced dozens of Byaing Phyu villagers being prosecuted for their alleged ties to the Arakkha Army (AA) to three years in prison and imposed a fine of K500 each on Friday.

The sixth court hearing for more than 100 Byaing Phyu villagers took place at the Sittwe Prison court on August 30, and at least 50 of them were sentenced to three years in prison under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and Section 188 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, family members said.

"At least 100 Byaing Phyu villagers appeared before the court and over 50 of them were sentenced to three years in prison on August 30. The court hearing for the remaining villagers was ongoing as of 5:30 p.m. and I don't know exactly what will happen," said a family member of one of the accused.

Among the 100-plus detained Byaing Phyu villagers, Min Ko Naing, Nyi Nyi Aung, Khaing Zaw Moe and Aye Min were reportedly released on Friday.

The trial of the Byaing Phyu villagers has been held at the prison court without informing the family members in advance.

"We were not informed [about the trial] in advance. The person who informed us said that if there is fighting, there will be a delay, so the Byaing Phyu villagers have been sentenced quickly. This verdict was delivered unfairly," said another detainee's family member.

The Byaing Phyu villagers trial and sentences have been derided as lacking transparency and without any properly legally proven basis regarding their alleged ties to the AA.

"Mainly, the Byaing Phyu villagers were oppressed by the regime with malice. Byaing Phyu Village is located on the outskirts of Sittwe, in an urban area. The regime illegally evicted the villagers to defend against the AA's offensive attack from the side of Byaing Phyu Village," said a former political prisoner in Arakan State.

Junta soldiers and allied troops raided Sittwe Township's Byaing Phyu Village on May 29, killing nearly 80 people and initially abducting more than 300 villagers.

After two weeks during which torture has been alleged, several were freed, but around 150 others remain in custody, and the regime has brought legal proceedings against more than 60 of them.