Kyaukphyu man charged under Unlawful Associations Act needs medical treatment

By Admin 08 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
8 March 2023, Kyaukphyu

A local man in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, who was arrested on suspicion of having connections with the Arakan Army (AA) and charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act is reportedly in need of medical treatment, according to family members.

The 58-year-old has been identified as U Win Maung, a resident of Ceditaung Ward in Kyaukphyu. A family member, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said that U Win Maung has a bad heart and is suffering from low oxygen.

“I can tell that his condition is critical and there is nothing he can do at home. If he works, he gets tired and has to breathe oxygen because the oxygen level drops below 90,” the family member explained.

Family members said that U Win Maung was always dependent on medication and had to go to Yangon once a month for medical treatment prior to his incarceration.

As U Win Maung’s medical situation is precarious, his family members want him to receive proper treatment.

“His condition is life-threatening. His disease is also a disease that can lead to death within five minutes,” a family member said.

U Win Maung was taken from his home by a group of people in plainclothes on November 2, 2022, and was charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

Family members say U Win Maung earned a living by selling construction materials such as sand and rocks, and has no ties to any organisations.

At least 30 people in Kyaukphyu Township have reportedly been detained and charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.

According to a DMG tally, about 10 people in Arakan State who have been charged with political crimes and/or have been imprisoned for a long time are in poor health and need to receive medical treatment.