Junta arrests two Arakanese men returning home from Malaysia

By Admin 22 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

22 August 2026, Myinmu, Sagaing Region                 

The military junta arrested two Arakanese men returning from Malaysia at a junta security checkpoint in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region.

On August 12, junta forces inspected eight men returning to Arakan State at a checkpoint in Myinmu Township. While six were released after questioning, the remaining two were detained on suspicion of ties to the Arakan Army.

U Kyaw Than Lwin, a 43-year-old native of Kankyungyi Village in Ann Township, Arakan State, was arrested over photos found on his mobile phone. The other man was detained after junta forces found an Arakanese emblem tattoo on his body.

Daw Khin Mar Tin, the wife of U Kyaw Than Lwin, believes her husband was beaten to death by junta forces following his arrest.

"My husband was arrested and killed because of photos on his phone. A fellow traveler bound for Arakan State told me they saw his body being dragged away," Daw Khin Mar Tin said.

U Kyaw Than Lwin had undergone abdominal surgery and was returning to his children in Arakan State due to health issues when he was detained en route.

"Having had abdominal surgery, he could not withstand a single blow. Unable to work or eat properly in Malaysia, he was on his way back to his children when this happened. Brokers could not guarantee his safety either," Daw Khin Mar Tin added.

The second detained man remains in custody more than a week after his arrest.

"We have lost contact with him. We heard reports that he was sent to Light Infantry Division No. 33 in Sagaing. Once someone is detained, there is nothing we can do," a woman familiar with the situation said.

Arakanese migrant workers returning from Malaysia and Thailand frequently face arrest by the military junta while traveling to Arakan State. Arrests occur most commonly at entry points to Arakan State in Magway, Ayeyarwady and Bago regions.