Mrauk-U writer facing terrorism charges appears in court

By DMG 29 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
29 October 2021, Mrauk-U 

A young writer from Pan Maw village in Arakan State’s Mrauk-U Township, who has been charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law, appeared before the Mrauk-U Township Court for a second time on October 29. 

The 23-year-old writer, known by the pen name Min Di Par, was taken to Mrauk-U police station on the afternoon of October 29 and was held on remand until November 12, according to his family. 

Min Di Par had the opportunity to meet with family members for the first time during Friday’s hearing, held 14 days after his arrest, said Ko Aung Myint, an elder brother of the young writer. 

“I don’t know exactly what will happen because he is currently held on remand. I had the opportunity to meet with him at the court hearing. We met briefly, so we did not talk in general terms,” he told DMG. 

Several armed men in plainclothes arrested the 23-year-old writer Min Di Par, aka Ko Aung Naing Myint, at his home on October 15, taking him away in a black car. 

He was arrested on suspicion of having ties to the anti-regime People’s Defence Force (PDF) and was charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law at the Mrauk-U police station. 

“We are not able to say anything about the current situation for the time being. He did not say anything about the evidence. I want this case to be settled as soon as possible,” Ko Aung Myint said. 

Ko Aung Naing Myint has written novels under the pen name Min Di Par and last month published a compendium of stories entitled A Zone Free From Artifice. 

DMG attempted to contact Mrauk-U police station about the charges against Ko Aung Naing Myint, but the case could not be confirmed by local law enforcement. 

At least three people, including two from Arakan State’s Thandwe Township, have been arrested on suspicion of having PDF links and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law.