Sittwe man arrested, charged over alleged links to NUG and affiliated CRPH

By Admin 20 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
20 November 2023, Sittwe

A local man from Mingan Ward in the Arakan State capital Sittwe has been arrested on suspicion of having ties to the National Unity Government (NUG) and Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the state military council said in a statement on November 19.

U San Shwe Maung, the man detained, has been using the “Ko Myat Yun Arakan” Facebook account to spread propaganda with the aim of disrupting national stability, the military council said.

“U San Shwe Maung was detained at the relevant police station in accordance with the law, and a case was filed against him,” the military council said.

The military council announced that it would continue to identify and take action against those who support and spread the propaganda of CRPH, NUG and their affiliates, which have been declared as terrorist organisations.

DMG continues to attempt to contact family members of U San Shwe Maung.

The regime has made a series of arrests of locals in Arakan State following renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) on November 13.

About 30 residents in Sittwe are among 50 people from Sittwe, Taungup, Kyaukphyu and Buthidaung townships who have been detained by the regime during the latest fighting in Arakan State, according to DMG’s figures.

The regime has not released anything about the arrests of these dozens of people, but it has been announced that a Sittwe resident has been arrested and charged with being linked to the CRPH and NUG.

“Indeed, if a government is to be dignified, it must protect the people and distinguish between the enemy and the people. Now, it is not a characteristic of a government to treat the people and the enemy in a uniform manner,” said an Arakanese politician.

At least 10 local people in Arakan State have been arrested and charged on suspicion of having links with NUG, CRPH and People’s Defence Force (PDF).

Ko Phyo Maung, a resident of Lay Mile Village in Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township, was charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code on suspicion of having ties to the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and National Unity Government (NUG) on February 3. Ko Kyaw Zan Wai aka Ko Yin, a resident of Mrauk-U, was been arrested on suspicion of having ties to the CRPH and NUG, and was subsequently charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.

If a person makes, shares, or assists in disseminating propaganda that will disturb the public, he or she can be charged under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law, Section 124(a) of the Penal Code, Section 505(a) of the Penal Code and/or Section 33(a) of the Telecommunications Law, the regime has said.