Two Arakan men imprisoned for alleged ties to AA released

By Admin 06 May 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 May 2023, Sittwe

Two young men who were sentenced to three years in prison under Section 50(a), and Section 52(a) of the Counterterrorism Law for allegedly having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) were released on Friday, after serving their time.

The two were Ko Wai Yan Soe, 25, from Thanchaung Village in Rathedaung, and Ko Maung Maung Che, 26, from Myothit ward in Kyauktaw. The two were released from Sittwe Prison.

“We were released after serving our time. We want for those who remain behind bars for having alleged ties to the AA to also be released. We suffered a lot of difficulties inside the prison, including health and food,” Ko Wai Yan Soe told DMG.

The two were detained by the Myanmar military at a junta security checkpoint on Kisspanadi Bridge while riding from Kyauktaw to Maha Muni village on June 6, 2020. The two said they were tortured during detention.

Captain Kyaw Min Tun of Kyauktaw-based Light Infantry Battalion 374 subsequently filed a lawsuit against the two for allegedly having ties to the AA. The Mrauk-U district court sentenced the two to three years in prison with hard labour of October 7, 2022, and they were sent to Sittwe Prison.

Ko Maung Than Shwe, father of Ko Wai Yan Soe, said: “I have been waiting for the release of my son. I am glad that he is released. I also want those who were imprisoned for allegedly having ties to the AA to be released.”

Five men including villagers from Kyaukseik Village in Ponnagyun who were given prison sentences under Section 52(a) for allegedly having ties to the AA were also released in February after they had completed their time.

Hundreds of people have been prosecuted in Arakan State for allegedly having ties to the AA since fighting began between the military and AA in December 2018. Many of them remain behind bars though some have been released under amnesty or after serving their time.