Local philanthropist in Taungup faces two charges including unlawful association

By DMG 09 Aug 2021

DMG Newsroom
9 August 2021, Taungup 

Two lawsuits have been filed against Ko Aung Win Naing, chair of the Moe Pyinnyar Dana Philanthropic Association in Arakan State’s Taungup town, as he appeared in court for the first time on August 9, according to family members. 

He has been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, as well as facing a charge for allegedly driving a vehicle that was not registered. 

Members of the military arrested him on June 5 near Phone Nyo Taung checkpoint on the Taungup-Thandwe road, and transferred him to the Taungup police station on July 14. 

Ma Twetar Soe, the wife of Ko Aung Win Naing, said the head of the Taungup Township police force has opened the cases against her husband. 

“He [Aung Win Naing] appeared in court today at the Taungup Township court. I was not allowed to enter the court. I saw him outside the court compound,” she said on Monday. 

Six other people were reportedly arrested during his arrest, but the situation of other detainees is not currently known. 

Ko Aung Win Naing’s next court hearing has been scheduled for August 23, his family members said. 

The patron of the Moe Pyinnyar Dana Philanthropic Association, a local senior monk, said charging a man who is doing charity work is not in the best interests of the community. 

“Charging a person who is doing charity activities results in many losses for the community. I’d like authorities to release him immediately. I boldly guarantee that he has no ties to any unlawful association,” the monk said. 

DMG sought comment from the chair of the Taungup Township military council about the case, but he could not be reached.