Two Kyaukphyu detainees charged with State defamation

Narinjara News, 11 June 2022

Two detainees from Kyaukphyu, second largest city of Rakhine sate, including a woman, were charged with the State defamation case under section 505 (a) by the township court yesterday with the accusation of  collecting taxes on behalf of the Arakan Army (AA).
The detainees are identified as U Than Hlaing (41 years old) and Daw Khin Ohn Nwe (56) from Seditaung ward under Kyaukphyu township.

They were arrested on 26 May by the members of  34th infantry battalion based in the locality and were charged two weeks later with defamation case against the military-ruled State.

Khin Ohn Nwe’s daughter Ma Mya Hnin Nwe Aung informed that the military personnel arrested her mother without any evidence.

“They did not find any evidence from my mother. Moreover, they did not have the arrest

warrant. My mother was arrested from the road with another individual,” she added.

She also revealed that  the military council released both of them immediately as there was no evidence against them.

Than Hlaing’s wife Daw Cho Cho Thein informed Narinjara News that her husband is a ferry motorbike worker. They have two children and she wanted her husband to be released as soon as possible without any charge.

As they were prosecuted by the military authority, they are now summoned to the court on 23 June.
Lately the relation between the military junta and AA has worsened. The military council has been detaining AA supporters and well-wishers. Till now many Rakhine people are being held  and some of them even face imprisonments.