Narinjara News, 22 July 2022

Altogether nine residents of Kyauk Phyu township, the second largest city of Rakhine State, were sentencedto three years in prison under section52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act on 21 July.

They are accused of being associated with the Arakan Army. They have spent two years in Kyauk Phyu prisonand faced trial in the Kyauk Phyu court,said lawyer U Kyaw Thura, who is pursuing the case.

Among the convicted individuals, U Win Naing  hails from Zin Chaung village and U Ng Lo Aung (b) Tun TunWin,  U Nyi Nyi Zaw, U Zaw Tun U Myint Tun, U Chan Nyein, U Zaw Htay (b) Myo Win, U Tun Win and U Ye Ko Naing from Alay Chaung village.

They were arrested by the junta personnel separately from Kyauk Phyu locality within 2020. All of them werecharged with 50 (u) and 50 (j) and52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, added the lawyer.

As they have already completed two years in Kyauk Phyu prison, they need to remain behind the bars for onlyone more year.

During the last few days, many locals across Rakhine State were arrested and prosecuted by theauthorities for allegedly maintaining linkswith the AA.

Even after the AA was dismissed as a terrorist organization, a number of innocent people were convicted withthe charge of maintaining links withthe group, said social activists, adding that it’s simply unfair.