Motorbike broker from Thandwe arrested on suspicion of financing anti-regime forces

By DMG 31 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
31 January 2022, Thandwe

A motorbike dealer from the Arakan State town of Thandwe has been arrested on suspicion of financing the anti-regime People’s Defence Forces (PDFs).
 
The accused is 37-year-old Ko Than Htut Oo from Thandwe town, according to family members, who said he was detained in Pyay, Bago Region, on January 23. 
 
It is not yet known why Ko Than Htut Oo was arrested, said his father U Maung Maung Myint, who told DMG that his son is currently being held at Thandwe police station.

“Ko Than Htut Oo earns a living as a motorbike broker and he was arrested in Pyay on January 23, and was transferred to Thandwe Township police station the next day. I don’t know the reason why he was arrested. I’ve met him twice [since his arrest],” U Maung Maung Myint explained. 

Ko Than Htut Oo was reportedly arrested for financing the PDFs — militia groups linked to the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile — through his KBZ bank account, according to an official from the Thandwe Township police station.

Police Captain Win Naing Soe of the Thandwe Township police station filed a lawsuit against U Than Htut Oo under the Counter-Terrorism Law, and the accused is currently being held on remand. 

Ko Than Htut Oo is known as a social worker in Thandwe, according to his family. He has a 3-year-old son and another child on the way, according to his family.

Although there does not appear to be an organised PDF militia in Arakan State, at least nine people from the state, including Ko Than Htut Oo, have been arrested on suspicion of financing anti-regime forces.

Opponents of the junta have called for a “silent strike” on Tuesday as the country marks one year since the military seized power in a pre-dawn coup. Participants, including those who clap or honk car horns in solidarity with the strikers, will face legal action including the possibility of lengthy prison sentences,the regime has threatened.