Case moves forward against young writer accused of financing PDF

By DMG 12 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
12 November 2021, Mrauk-U 

A young writer, who goes by the pen name Min Di Par and was arrested last month on suspicion of financing the anti-regime People’s Defense Force (PDF) militia, was formally charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law at the Mrauk-U District Court on November 12. 

The 23-year-old, Ko Aung Naing Myint from Pan Maw village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, was detained on October 15 and Police Captain Soe Tin filed a lawsuit against him under Section 50(j) of the Counter Terrorism Law, said Daw Pan Aye San, a lawyer from Thazin Legal Institute. 

“He [Ko Aung Naing Myint aka Min Di Par] was sued under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law on suspicion of financing the terrorist organisations. We submitted a letter of attorney to the court,” the lawyer said. 

“My younger brother said he has nothing to do with the PDF,” said Ko Aung Myint, Min Di Par’s older brother. “I want the case to be settled as soon as possible or he should be released as soon as possible. His arrest is a tragedy not only for him but also for his family.”  

The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 26. 

At least six people in Arakan State — five from Thandwe Township and one from Mrauk-U Township — have been arrested on suspicion of PDF affiliations and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law in recent weeks. 

A case against U Sein Chit and Ko Ye Naing Oo, who were also arrested last month on suspicion of having links to the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF), was filed at the Thandwe Township Court on November 8. 

A case management meeting for the duo is scheduled for November 22, according to a lawyer involved in the case. 

Captain Nay Zaw Htet, from the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 based in Ngapali town, filed a lawsuit against the two men under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to family members of the accused. 

In a similar case, two women and a 17-year-old girl in Thandwe Township were arrested on suspicion of having PDF ties and were charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law on November 3.