Rakhine youth sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour for PDF connection

Narinjara News, 25 February 2022

Mrauk-U township-based young writer Ko Min Di Par has been sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labour for maintaining links with the PDF (People Defense Force).

The Rakhine youth (20),  was sentenced by the Mrauk-U district court on 25 February 25, informed his lawyer Kyaw Soe Lin.

Speaking to Narinjara News, the lawyer added, “Min Di Par was sentenced to 10 years in prison under section 50 (j) of the Anti-Terrorism Law. 10 years is the minimum sentence and it  is equal to life imprisonment.”

Min Di Par was arrested suspecting his financial ties with the PDF.

The police picked him up from Pan Maw village under Mrauk-U  township on 15 October last year. He was charged on 12 November by the Mrauk-U township deputy police chief Lt. Col. Saw Tin.

The lawyer also informed that Min Di Par is currently being held in Mrauk-U police station. It  is yet to be known which prison he may have to go.

On 19 February, a young engineer and a construction worker from Gwa town were arrested by the police on charges of financing the PDF under section 505 (a) of the Penal Code.

Till date, at least 10 persons have been arrested by the Rakhine State authority on suspicion of their financial connection with the PDF.