Regime detains retired politician in Sittwe

By Admin 08 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
8 December 2023, Sittwe

A retired politician from Setyonsu Ward in the Arakan State capital Sittwe has been detained by the regime and has reportedly not been allowed to meet with family members.

The 69-year-old detainee has been identified as U Phoe Hla. He was taken from his home by junta soldiers who covered his face with a cloth as they escorted him from the residence at around 6 p.m. on December 2.

“As far as we know, my father is currently detained at the military intelligence office in Sittwe,” said U Aung Zaw Khaing, the son of U Phoe Hla.

U Phoe Hla previously served in the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP/ALA). He later joined the National Unity Party Arakan/Arakan Army (NUPA/AA) led by Major-General Khaing Razar due to disagreements with some leaders.

He previously lived in Bangladesh, returned to Myanmar under the peace overtures of former President U Thein Sein, and has been living peacefully with his family.

The regime has not informed the family members about U Phoe Hla’s arrest. The details of his arrest are unknown. He is a former politician, but he has been retired from politics for more than 10 years, family members said.

“My father used to be a politician, but now he has nothing to do with it and is old. He has a disease, so he has to take medicine all the time. Now we are very worried about my father as we are not allowed to see him,” U Aung Zaw Khaing said.

Family members asked the regime to release U Phoe Hla as he has diabetes and kidney diseases, and is elderly.

At least 19 out of 70 people detained by the regime have been charged under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code during renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State.