Facing terrorism charge, juvenile detainee released on bail in Ramree Twsp

By Hnin Nwe 12 Dec 2020

Hnin Nwe | DMG
12 December 2020, Sittwe

A 14-year-old boy from Ramree Township, Arakan State, who faces terrorism charges after being arrested by the Tatmadaw last month, was released on bail Thursday and requires medical treatment for injuries apparently sustained or untreated while in military custody, according to family.

Maung Swan Htet Paing aka Nyi Nyi from Ramree’s Kalapon village was released after family members submitted a letter of reference to police stating that he had no ties to the Arakan Army, said his father, U Tun Hlaing Oo.

“We had to report to the police station that my son was [of good standing] in the village, along with his educational certificate, student passport, and a picture of his friends,” he told DMG.

“All of our relatives also had to vouch for my son’s innocence,” his father added. “The police said that he was not [exonerated] yet, but he was released on bail. The police told us to come to the police station when there is a court trial [scheduled].”

Maung Swan Htet Paing had returned home but was ordered to return to the court on December 29, U Tun Hlaing Oo said.

According to family members, Maung Swan Htet Paing required medical treatment after being beaten by security personnel on a military naval vessel for more than a week, before being transferred to the local police station.

“He said he did not eat well and was not allowed to sleep. He is said to have been tied up with ropes. He was hit in the leg with a fist and injured his nose. He had internal injuries and needed to receive an X-Ray scan. He is currently unable to receive medical treatment due to financial problems,” said Ma Soe Hnin Wai, the patient’s sister-in-law.

DMG attempted to contact Maj-General Zaw Min Tun of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team for comment on the allegations involving Maung Swan Htet Paing, but he could not be reached.

A military contingent entered Kalapon village at around 6 a.m. on November 7 and detained three residents for questioning; the three identified as Ko Tun Min Soe, Ko Soe Maung and Maung Swan Htet Paing, according to family members.

The Tatmadaw True News Information Team announced on November 9 that it had allegedly arrested Arakan Army members involved in an attack on a military boat in the Tanzin River in Ramree Township.

The trio were transferred to the Kyaukphyu Myoma police station and were charged under Section 50(a), 50(j) and Section 52(a) of Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law.

Ko Htun Min Soe, Maung Swan Htet Paing’s older brother, was taken away by security personnel from the Hlegu-based military Division No. 11 in Yangon Region, and has not been heard from since, said his wife Ma Soe Hnin Wai.

“I don’t know if he was killed. Family members want to meet him. Even if we are not allowed to talk to him, it would be nice to hear that he is healthy,” she said.

Two Kalapon villagers and two Sanae town residents were also arrested on November 3 and 4 on suspicion of involvement in the firing on a naval vessel.

Scores of people have been taken into Tatmadaw custody on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army since June of this year alone — several of whom are still missing, with little to no information known as to their whereabouts or status since being detained.