Charity doctor arrested in Mon State capital, accused of anti-regime acts

18 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
18 December 2021, Mawlamyine

A charity doctor at a private hospital in Mawlamyine, Mon State, who was arrested by junta forces earlier this month, has been charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, according to local sources. 

Dr. Chan Myae Aung was taken from Ngwe Moe Hospital on December 5, accused of purchasing bonds issued by the National Unity Government (NUG) and sharing anti-coup Facebook posts, a source close to the detainee told DMG. 

“Around 15 junta soldiers and police in civilian clothes detained Dr. Chan Myae Aung for allegedly purchasing the NUG’s bonds,” the source added. 

A case was opened against Dr. Chan Myae Aung under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision, on December 17 and he was sent to Kyaikmaraw Prison, according to his family, which claims that no evidence was found that he had bought NUG bonds. 

Dr. Chan Myae Aung is a former Myanmar military specialist who retired about two years ago and has volunteered at a number of hospitals and charities. This is reportedly the first time a volunteer health worker has been arrested in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State. 

Local youths in the Mon State townships of Bilin, Paung and Thaton were arrested by the Myanmar military and released only after paying money, according to locals. 

“Security personnel checked mobile phones and arrested some people on suspicion of providing financial assistance to the anti-regime groups,” the family member of one detainee said. “Some people were arrested for posting a logo about NUG [on social media] and were interrogated at the military regiments. Some detainees were released on bail after paying money to the military.” 

More than 1,000 NUG and People’s Defence Force (PDF) supporters in Mon State have been arrested by Myanmar’s military regime, some of whom reportedly paid between K100,000 and K2 million to secure their subsequent release. Others remain in custody, unable to afford the money demanded in order to walk free.