Thandwe court defers ruling in case against 12 residents accused of unlawful AA ties

15 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
15 February 2023, Thandwe

The Thandwe Township Court has deferred ruling in a case against 12 detained residents until next week despite the fact that the court has heard both sides to completion, according to family members of the defendants.

“The court had said the ruling would be delivered today,” said a family member of detainee U Sein Thaung. “But it didn’t happen, and the court has deferred until February 22. We want all of them to be released.”

The 12 defendants, including poet Ko San Ko and social activist U Sein Thaung, were detained on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA) and prosecuted under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and for incitement under Section 505(a) of colonial-era Penal Code.

A relative of another defendant, U Win Maung, said: “U Win Maung does not have any tie with any organisation. He was wrongly charged.”

The 12 defendants were detained during the latest fighting between the Myanmar military and the AA last year. As it has been nearly three months since the two sides observed an informal ceasefire, family members have called for the release of the detainees.

“He was detained while travelling from Taungup to Thandwe,” said a relative of U Khin Maung Aye. “He was given one month for being unable to explain why he was outside at night. And he has also been prosecuted for driving an unlicensed motorbike. And he is also charged with Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.”

A total of 31 people have been detained and charged by the Myanmar military in Thandwe for their alleged ties to the AA over the past few years.

According to a DMG tally, approximately 50 individuals were detained on suspicion of AA affiliations and charged across Arakan State during the latest fighting between the ethnic armed group and the Myanmar military.