Five Sar Pyin villagers released again as terrorism trial founders 

By Win Nyunt 12 Aug 2020

Win Nyunt | DMG
12 August, Sittwe 

Five people including the chairperson of the local Arakan National Party (ANP) chapter in Sar Pyin village, Taungup Township, who had been charged under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law were released by the Taungup Township Court on August 12, their lawyer said.  

U Pyone Cho, chair of the ANP operation in the village, and four other men were charged by Major Myint Zaw Aung from the No. 5 Mobile Operations Command in Taungup town under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. 

“They are released because there is not sufficient evidence to charge them after examining 26 prosecution witnesses,” the defendants’ lawyer U Tin Nyo told DMG. 

The five men were initially arrested on April 5, accused of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army. They were released by the Taungup Township Court on May 7 due to lack of charging evidence, but they were detained again that same day, reportedly in connection with an explosion in Maei town. 

U Than Naing, U Aung Htoo, U Maung Myint Aung, and U Hla Phyu joined U Pyone Cho in walking free this week. 

Meanwhile, another high-profile trial involving local politicians in Taungup Township continues to make its way through the courts, with the latest hearing in the case held on August 12. 

The vice chair of the ANP in Taungup Township, U Wai Thaung, as well as the chair of the Township Development Affairs Committee U Zeya Kyaw and his brother Ko Sithu Kyaw Zan, along with a former chair of the committee, U San Ngwe, are also facing trial under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. The foursome were arrested in May. 

They face up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines if found guilty.