Two detainees die in Ann police custody without treatment

A man, who was arrested on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army (AA), and a woman recently died at Ann town police station where the western regional military headquarter is located.

The male victim is identified as Ko Than Soe (29) hailed from Pauk Taw township, a few miles east of the capital city Sittwe.

A close friend of him informed that Than Soe was sick for some days in the police lockup, but he was not provided medical treatment. When he became very weak, Than Soe was taken to Ann public hospital on 1 July, where he died the same day.

It is stated that he was buried at Ann cemetery without informing his family members.

Than Soe was arrested in September 2022 suspecting him to be associated with the AA and he was charged with section 17(1) of the illegal association law.

"Currently, it is reported that the inmates are suffering from seasonal flu in Ann town police station. Than Soe did not receive necessary medical treatments. After his health deteriorated, he was sent to the hospital where he died within hours. Even he was buried by the authorities without informing the family members," he added.

He added that another woman also died without receiving medical treatment under police custody.

She was imprisoned for prostitution in Ann town and as she was about to be sent to Kyauk Phyu prison she fell ill in May and died later.

The Ann police station lockup is now crowded with the detainees and many of them were arrested and prosecuted suspecting their links with the AA. There are many who were arrested and prosecuted with the suspicion of being related to the PDF and some Muslims who went abroad (like Malaysia and Thailand) for work without documents.

A human rights activist from Ann town informed Narinjara News that the lack of healthcare in the police station lockup, rights violations such as not being fed enough food and poor sanitation facilities are often reported.

"There are people who do not get treatment if they fall sick. Some AA members also face similar problems. Many detainees have to survive with boiled sweet potatos and small volume of rice. Those who have money, they can buy food items from outside. Others face severe difficulties,” he added.

He pointed out that international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) should investigate the issue of healthcare and other rights violations in Ann police station.

"The ICRC  has the right to investigate. They have the responsibility to do so for the benefit of detainees,” he asserted.

Narinjara News contacted Ann police station, but no response was found.

It is said that there are more than 20 people (including young women) who were prosecuted under section 17(1) of the unlawful association and section 505(a) of defamation of the State.  There is one person in the custody on suspicion of relating to the PDF.  Most of those arrested and detained hail from Ann locality as well as Pauk Taw and Maebon townships.