Nine prisoners, who were arrested for politicalreasons, were brutally shot dead by the junta forces in Rakhine State ofMyanmar.

The Arakan Army (AA) claimed in a statement issued onSunday that the victims include Ko Kyaw Zan Wai (aka) Phoe La Pyae (aka) RainShoet, known for sharing humorous posts on social media, journalist Ko Myat ThuTun (aka) Phoe Thiha, oil mill owner Ko Kyaw Thein Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing,Ko Ko Nyunt, Ko Win Naing and Ko Pyae Sone Win in Mrauk-U cell. Those killed inthe Minbya cell include Ko Nyi Nyi Aung (aka) Aung Zaw Win and  U KyawNyunt.

Two junta soldiers from the 378th light infantrybattalion, stationed in Mrauk-U, shot dead seven civilians.

They were killed ataround 2 pm on 31 January in the battalion's cell. Later the soldiers buriedthe bodies in a bomb shelter near Mrauk-U hospital, added the statement.

On the other hand, the soldiers from 379th lightinfantry battalion stationed in Minbya  shot dead Nyi Nyi Aung fromRathedaung township and U Kyaw Nyunt from Minbya township at around 3:45 pm on19 January. They were arrested under various charges.

Among those killed, Kyaw Zan Wai was a popular socialmedia user. His song titled ‘Exodus’ gained a lot of popularity. JournalistMyat Thu Tun used to work for  DVB and other media outlets.

Those who were killed faced charges under sections (a)and (b) of 505 of the penal code, asserted the AA statement, adding that thejunta continues to indulge in war crimes, including arbitrary arrests andkillings of civilians not only in the Rakhine and Paletwa regions but acrossMyanmar.