Family members accuse AA of beating Kyaukphyu man to death

By Admin 12 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
12 October 2023, Kyaukphyu

A local man from Kywetel Village, part of Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, has died during interrogation by the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), according to family members.

The 23-year-old man, identified as Ko Aung Naing, was arrested by members of the ULA/AA in the second week of September on suspicion of a motorbike theft in Kyaukphyu, said family members.

The dead body of Ko Aung Naing was reportedly returned to family members on the morning of October 10 by a local court set up by the ULA/AA.

Villagers said the AA members who brought Ko Aung Naing’s body said that Ko Aung Naing had run away while being investigated for motorcycle theft and was recaptured.

Ko Aung Naing’s body had bruises on his head and chest, evidence of severe beatings on his back and legs, and surgery on his abdomen, his mother said.

“I think my son was beaten to death during the AA’s interrogation. I want justice for my son’s death,” said Daw Thein Shwe Yi, the mother of Ko Aung Naing.

Criticism is rising among locals regarding the AA’s handling of Ko Aung Naing. 

“Now that tragedies are happening, we feel completely insecure. Things like this are happening as ULA/AA officials are abusing their powers. I want those who abuse their power to take appropriate action. I want the officials to handle it effectively so that such tragedies don’t happen again,” said a local man from Kywetel Village.

DMG attempts to obtain comment from a local ULA official and U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the ULA/AA, were unsuccessful on Thursday.

U Maung Gyi Hla, a resident of Mrauk-U, died during a ULA/AA interrogation in March 2022.