Narinjara, December 16, 2022.

A mill owner fromKar Di village in Kyauktaw and his companion who had gone “missing” for more two months, with the regime denying anyknowledge of them, havenow been charged underthe Unlawful Association Act.

In fact The twowere arrested on October 2nd after being invited to the military camp by the commander of the Kan Sauk-based 539th Battalion inKyauktaw.

At the time U HlaMaung Than’s wife, Daw Hla Aye San had revealed that her husband was missing, and media outlets including Narinjara reported it, but theMilitary Council deniedthat the two hadbeen arrested.

U Hla Maung Thanand U Maung Thar Soe his companion, had been arrested since they went to the 539th Battalion, after receiving a phone callfrom its commander at around 5:30 PM on October 2nd.

The two men chargedare: U Hla Maung Than (43), a mill owner from Kar Di (aka) Thazin village, and an A Puak Wa villager Maung Che (aka) UMaung Thet Soe (39). 

Only now has his wifeDaw Hla Aye San found out the truth.  “My husband was detained at Station No. 1 in Sittwe on October 2nd. He wascharged under Section 17(1). I was able to see him briefly when he was remanded in court onDecember 6th”.

Family members weresaddened by being lied to without openly notifying the arrest, and the unfair charge, Daw Hla Aye San said it was veryunfair to be given the runaround in this case. She also revealed that the case has been scheduled for trial on December 19th.

She added that, “They were unjustly arrested. I want them to be released as soon as possible, because they are innocent.”