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AA rescues dozens of prisoners trapped by Buthidaung fighting
Among the inmates are 31 Muslim political prisoners and the remainder were jailed under various charges including theft, drug smuggling, human trafficking and rape.
31 May 2024
DMG Newsroom
31 May 2024, Buthidaung
The Arakkha Army (AA) has rescued 89 inmates including some political prisoners who were trapped inside Buthidaung Prison and has provided humanitarian assistance to them following its seizure of Buthidaung, the ethnic armed group said in a statement on May 30.
Among the inmates are 31 Muslim political prisoners and the remainder were jailed under various charges including theft, drug smuggling, human trafficking and rape.
The inmates were evacuated to safer locations and were provided with healthcare services and emergency food supplies, the AA statement said.
The AA also supplied 31 political prisoners with cash assistance to help them reunite with their families, the statement added.
Before the battle for control of Buthidaung town, the regime had relocated most prisoners, but some were left behind, the AA said.
The AA said that the rescued prisoners have served time for the crimes they committed and that it will re-examine the appropriateness of any remaining sentences going forward.
The AA says it has detained thousands of junta soldiers, police and their families, who were captured during the fighting, and provided them with humanitarian assistance.