Torture alleged as two Byaing Phyu villagers die after transfer from junta custody to hospital

By Admin 12 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
12 June 2024, Sittwe

Two male residents of Byaing Phyu Village in Arakan State’s Sittwe Township have died of injuries they sustained while in military custody.

The two men died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Sittwe Hospital for injuries they had sustained after being detained by the junta late last month.

The regime abducted around 100 locals after massacring dozens of Byaing Phyu villagers on May 29. The detainees were taken to Sittwe-based Infantry Battalion No. 20 for investigation and were handed over to the police two weeks later to initiate prosecutions.

Fifty detainees were transferred from the No. 1 Police Station to Sittwe Prison on June 9. Three detainees who allegedly suffered torture were sent to Sittwe Hospital, of which two of them died on Tuesday.

“The two were covered in bruises on their arms, legs and bodies. They had cuts on their arms. The third one is also in a critical situation,” a source close to the hospital told DMG.

On June 9, the regime brought prosecutions against eight detained Byaing Phyu villagers under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act, and against 30 others under Section 188 of the Penal Code for failing to obey an order from a civil servant.

Forty-seven detainees were released on June 8. Dozens more remain in military custody, and family members are concerned for their well-being.

“Many remain in custody, and family members don’t know their whereabouts. They are worried that they might have been killed,” said a resident of Byaing Phyu Village.

At least 20 people reportedly died from torture in military custody during fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakkha Army (AA) from late 2018 to November 2020.