Attempted rapist granted bail in Thandwe, victim's family fears for safety

By Admin 08 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

8 August 2026, Thandwe

The family of a 16-year-old girl who survived an attempted rape in Nyaungpinkwin Village, Thandwe Township, Arakan State, is fearing for its safety after the suspect was released on bail.

On August 1, the girl was returning home from a farm hut when a fellow villager, 28-year-old U Phone Naing, allegedly dragged her towards a nearby creek bank and attempted to rape her.

Villagers planting seedlings nearby heard the struggle and approached, prompting the suspect to flee. The victim's family filed a case at the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) station that same day.

The suspect was detained at the DLEPS station and transferred to the Thandwe District Court, where a judge granted him bail, allowing him to remain at home while facing the charges. He was released on August 7.

"When we asked, personnel from the DLEPS station said he was released because the judge granted bail. He is back home now. Since he threatened to kill her during the attempted assault, we are terrified that he might harm us," a female relative of the victim told DMG.

During the attempted rape, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim, used sexually offensive language, demanded that she comply and threatened to kill her if she resisted.

The victim remains traumatised by the death threats, while her family fears possible retaliation following the suspect's release on bail.

"There is no one strong enough at home to protect us if something happens, so no one dares to go anywhere. We are relying on the United League of Arakan (ULA) judicial department and demand effective legal action in accordance with the law," said the victim's brother, who currently resides abroad.

Under Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure governing bail, individuals who commit or attempt to commit rape are ineligible for bail.

Furthermore, under child protection laws, bail cannot be granted in cases involving violence against minors and death threats.

A legal officer who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement said: "The victim is a minor, and the attempted assault involved death threats. Under the law, this constitutes a serious, non-bailable offence."

The legal officer added that while Section 497(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure allows judicial discretion, bail may only be granted to females, individuals under 16 years of age, or persons who are sick or infirm.

According to data compiled by DMG, at least 16 cases of sexual violence, including statutory rape, were recorded between January 20, 2024, and July 22, 2026, in areas controlled by the Arakan Army in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State. In some cases, the perpetrators remain at large.

In addition, at least three attempted rape cases have been documented this year in Myebon, Ramree, Kyaukphyu and Kyauktaw townships.

Amid rising sexual violence across Arakan State, local residents continue to call for effective prosecution of perpetrators and those accused of attempted offences, as well as full transparency regarding legal verdicts and sentences.