Arakanese student leader charged under terrorism law

By Admin 16 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
16 August 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly filed a case against Ko Myat Hein Tun, secretary of the Arakan Students Union (Universities – Yangon), on terrorism charges.

The junta has charged Ko Myat Hein Tun under Section 50(j) and Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law at Yangon’s Hlaingthayar police station, according to sources close to the accused.

“When the junta soldiers checked his mobile phone, they found out that he had shared political posts on his Facebook account. It is known that he is still being tried in a military court. It is known that since he is being examined by a military court, he is not allowed to hire a lawyer,” said a source close to the accused.

Ko Myat Hein Tun, 25, was arrested at a junta security checkpoint in Yangon’s Dala Township on May 31. Family members have not been able to meet with him since his arrest.

“He was tortured in military detention after he was arrested and he was transferred to Hlaingthayar police station,”  said a woman close to the family of the accused. “His case was transferred to a military court. His family members and friends are worried about his safety as he is not allowed to hire a lawyer to defend against the charges.”

Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law provides for up to life imprisonment if found to provide financial support and cooperation to an organisation designated as a terrorist organisation, while Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law also provides for imprisonment from three to seven years for activities that “knowingly involve a terrorist group.”

Ko Myat Hein Tun is a resident of Taungup Township and had fled to Yangon due to ongoing fighting in Arakan State.

The student community said that the prosecution of Ko Myat Hein Tun under such serious charges was both a fabrication and part of a broader framing of students and activists from Arakan State.

“The regime is using the law as needed and wants to oppress the young Arakanese students in Yangon. The regime violates human rights,” said a former member of the Arakan Students Union (Universities – Yangon).

Ko Myat Hein Tun was sentenced to one month in prison under Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly Law by the Kamayut Township Court under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government.

At least 27,206 people were detained between February 1, 2021 and August 15, 2024, of which 9,331 were sentenced to prison time and 20,753 remain detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).