Families call for swift trial in case of three Ramree Twsp men facing terrorism charges

By DMG 14 Oct 2021

DMG Newsroom
14 October 2021, Ramree 

Family members have called for an immediate trial in the case of three Ramree Township men arrested on suspicion of having links to the Arakan Army (AA) and facing charges under the Counter-Terrorism Law. 

The accused are Ko Soe Maung, Ko Aung Htay Win and Ko Nyi Si, all from Kalarpon village in Ramree Township. 

According to family members, the three men were taken from their homes in November 2020 by a Myanmar military unit for questioning. 

Capt. Aung Phyo Oo of Light Infantry Battalion No. 34 in Kyaukphyu filed a lawsuit against the three Ramree Township residents under Section 50(j) and Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. 

Ma Khin Myo Oo, the wife of one of the three detainees, said a hearing in the case had not been held for about four months and that family members wanted the court to continue trial proceedings as soon as possible. 

“If my husband is guilty, take legal action. If he is not guilty, release him as soon as possible. His case has not been heard for a long time. We rely on him for our livelihood. The family members are struggling to make ends meet as my husband is currently being detained,” she told DMG. 

The accused have not been allowed to see their families for months, so family members are worried about their health, said Daw Nyo Nyo, the sister of Ko Nyi Si, who is one of the detainees. 

“I will be happy to see my brother in person if he appears before the court. I have not seen him in a long time and I don’t know what is happening and I have not heard from him. I want him to be released if he is not guilty,” she said. 

Four of nine prosecution witnesses in the case against Kalarpon villagers have testified and the accused have not been tried in the Covid-19 period, according to Daw Sandar, a lawyer representing the case. 

“As for the current situation, there is no real case yet. Examination of all four prosecution witnesses showed that there is no conflict with the case. To date, no evidence has been heard in the testimony of prosecution witnesses,” the lawyer said. 

More than 200 people were arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law after being accused of associating with the AA during some two years of fighting in Arakan State. 

The Myanmar junta announced the delisting of the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) as a terrorist organisation on March 11 of this year. 

Since then, the military regime has withdrawn some cases that were being prosecuted under the Counter-Terrorism Law in Arakan State, while dozens of others remain on court dockets.