AA-linked prisoners not among those freed in Thingyan amnesty, disappointed families say

By DMG 19 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
19 April 2022, Sittwe

Family members of individuals arrested on suspicion of illegal ties to the Arakan Army (AA) have expressed frustration that their loved ones were not among more than 1,600 prisoners released by Myanmar’s military regime in a Thingyan amnesty.

“I wanted those arrested on suspicion of having connection with the Arakan Army to be released in the Myanmar junta’s New Year [Thingyan] amnesty. I want everyone to help release my son and brother as soon as possible,” said Daw Aung Than Nu, the mother of Ko Nay Lin Htay, who was arrested in Ponnagyun Township on March 5, 2020, along with his uncle U Maung Saw Aye.

“I want my son and my brother to be released at the next court hearing,” she added.

More than two years after their arrest, Ko Nay Lin Htay and U Maung Saw Aye are due to appear before the Sittwe District Court on April 21, when a final verdict in their case is expected.

In another case centred on Ponnagyun Township, five men from Kyaukseik village and its vicinity were arrested on April 19, 2020, and stand accused of illegal AA ties under Sections 50(j) and 52(A) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. They remain on trial, and also were not among those released in the amnesty coinciding with the Buddhist New Year.

The mother of Ko Nyi Nyi Aung, one of the detained Kyaukseik villagers, said she did not want to comment on her son’s prolonged trial.

More than 40 prisoners in various Arakan State penitentiaries were among those released by the junta in the Thingyan amnesty on April 17, said Ko Wai Hun Aung, a writer and former political prisoner himself who tracks political prisoner statistics in Arakan State.

“None of the detainees who were arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army were released in the Myanmar military’s New Year [Thingyan] amnesty. Only those involved in crime were released,” he said.

The junta granted amnesty to 1,577 Myanmar nationals and 42 foreign prisoners on April 17, stating that “if they commit another offence, they will continue to serve their current sentences.”

More than 70 people are currently facing trial and remain behind bars in various prisons for alleged AA ties, according to Ko Wai Hun Aung.