Dozens of youth activists in Tanintharyi Region capital arrested

By DMG 14 Sep 2022

DMG Newsroom
14 September 2022, Dawei, Tanintharyi Region

Myanmar’s military junta has detained at least 30 youth activists in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region, this month, according to the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM).

The youth activists were arrested by regime soldiers and police from September 4 to 9 and the detainees are currently being held at Dawei Prison, HURFOM said in a statement on September 13.

The arrestees range in age from 18 to 20 and they were charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision, and are being tried at a special court inside Dawei Prison, said an official from HURFOM.

“Most of the detainees are young people and among the detainees are young women. They were arrested by the junta soldiers and police under the pretext of checking for overnight guests. The detained youths are held at Dawei Prison and are being tried at a special court inside the prison,” he added.

“The junta soldiers and police conducted overnight guest checks a week ago. They [junta soldiers and police] checked for mobile phones of some residents on suspicion and some young people were arrested during the security checks,” said a resident of Dawei.

Three people in their 20s in a vehicle were arrested in Dawei’s Nyaungtaung Ward on the evening of September 4.

Maung Aung Ko Ko, 18, and Ko Hein Zaw Aung, in his 20s, were taken from their homes on September 9, meanwhile, and 25 youths were abducted during the military’s security checks in downtown Dawei, according to HURFOM.

“I didn’t know he was arrested,” said a family member of one detainee. “I thought he’d gone missing. I was informed that he was imprisoned. I am worried about his health and safety,” said a family member of a detainee.

According to the Dawei Political Prisoners Network, more than 300 political activists have been arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code for anti-dictatorship protests in Dawei Township following the military’s February 2021 coup.