ULA police officers under investigation in connection with death of man in custody: AA spox

By Admin 13 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2023, Kyaukphyu

A United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) spokesman said a man who died recently while in the organisation’s custody was beaten while attempting to flee and likely lost his life as a result of the injuries he sustained.
 
“He [Ko Aung Naing] resisted arrest and fought back against the police. When he arrived at the ULA police station, the police officers beat Ko Aung Naing with sticks, causing him to suffer internal injuries,” U Khaing Thukha said.

Ko Aung Naing’s death was due to a combination of internal injuries and drinking too much water, according to the AA/ULA spokesman.
 
“A person with internal injuries cannot drink much water,” he said. “At around 2 a.m. on October 11, he went to the toilet and collapsed on the way back. When paramedics were called and they tried to treat him, he died. His body was sent to the nearest hospital and an autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death. The examining doctor said he died of shock after drinking water.”

Ko Aung Naing, a 23-year old man from Kywetel Village in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township, was arrested by members of the ULA/AA on September 4 on suspicion of motorbike theft. His body was returned to the family on October 11.
 
Family members want justice for Ko Aung Naing.
 
“We want the AA to take action against people at the bottom who are abusing their power like this. Only then will we have security as a people,” said U Maung Than Myint, an uncle of Ko Aung Naing.
 
Ko Aung Naing’s death is a loss for his family and friends as well as a blow to public trust in the judiciary and law enforcement apparatuses of the ULA/AA, said Ko Aung Hein Lin of the All Arakan Youth Organizations Network, who added that the perpetrators should be dealt with effectively.
 
“For such a case, how will the AA judge the people who committed this crime? How will it be presented to the public in an open manner?” he asked.
 
Ko Aung Hein Lin added that beatings and torture of individuals in ULA/AA custody are a violation of human rights.
 
A human rights activist in Arakan State who asked for anonymity said only by respecting human rights law can the ULA/AA gain the respect and trust of the local and international communities.
 
The ULA police officers on duty at the time of the incident are currently being investigated, said U Khaing Thukha, who added that if there is any evidence of wrongdoing, effective action will be taken against those involved.
 
“The Arakha [ULA/AA] government has begun the investigation necessary to achieve justice. We have now detained the police officers on duty, including the chief of police, who are responsible for this matter, and have already started investigations,” he said.
 
In March 2022, Mrauk-U resident U Maung Gyi Hla died while in ULA/AA custody, with the man’s family accusing the ULA/AA of torturing him to death during.