Regime transfers some political prisoners to Yangon from Arakan State

By Admin 15 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
15 August 2024, Sittwe

Some political prisoners from prisons in Sittwe, Ann and Taungup, Arakan State, were reportedly transferred to Yangon by flight earlier this month.

About 20 inmates from Ann Prison who were jailed on political charges were transferred to Yangon's Insein Prison in early August.

"About 20 inmates who have been charged and sentenced to three years on suspicion of having ties to the Arakkha Army (AA) were taken to Yangon from Ann Prison by a military transport aircraft," said a source.

At least 10 prisoners who have been charged with political counts were transferred to Yangon's Insein Prison on August 9.

"Family members of the inmates are worried about the junta's transfer of prisoners to Yangon from various prisons in Arakan State. I think it means that the regime sent the prisoners to Yangon in advance because they were worried about the AA attacking," said a military source in Taungup Township.

More than 90 political prisoners were transferred to Yangon from Sittwe Prison by a military Y-8 transport aircraft on June 4.

As the inmates have been transferred to Insein Prison hundreds of miles away, family members are finding it difficult if not impossible to make prison visits to their loved ones amid junta travel restrictions and ongoing fighting between the regime and the AA in Arakan State.

"We are not concerned for their safety if they are in prisons in Arakan State. We are worried about their safety [following their transfers], including health matters. We are worried that they will be forced to join the military," said a family member of a political prisoner.

DMG phoned Arakan State military council spokesman U Hla Thein for comment on the matter, but he could not be reached.

The AA, which is battling for control of military camps and towns in Arakan State still held by the regime, says it is evacuating and releasing some prisoners in territory it controls, while others are still being held.