AA law body rearrests Myebon man over attempted rape

By Admin 03 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

3 July 2025, Myebon

The Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) has reportedly rearrested a man who allegedly attempted to rape a woman in Myebon Township, Arakan State, and is also investigating the judge who granted him bail.

"The DLEPS is investigating the judge due to pressure from the media to get justice for the victim. It is understood that the judge was changed during the trial and the new judge granted bail without thoroughly investigating the case," a man assisting the victim told DMG.

A woman in her 20s was going to the bathroom in her yard at around 6 p.m. on June 20, 2024, when a 24-year-old man dragged her into a nearby backhoe pit and attempted to rape her.

A villager witnessed the situation and, as the man who attempted to rape her fled, villagers surrounded him, detained him and handed him over to the relevant authorities.

The victim's family had filed a case against the perpetrator under Sections 325, 452 and 307 of the Penal Code, but the court granted bail to the perpetrator under Section 354 of the Penal Code.

The case has been ongoing for more than a year, but with little progress, so the victim has enlisted the media to push for justice on her behalf.

After media reports, the male perpetrator, who was out on bail, was re-arrested by DLEPS and the judge was also questioned.

Women's rights activists have highlighted the need to end impunity for sexual violence against women in Myanmar.

"We are really concerned that if a perpetrator or a person attempting to commit a crime is related to someone in power, it will discourage future women from reporting such crimes, and it will create a culture where we, as victims, are not given the opportunity to seek responsibility or accountability," said Naw Khin San Htwe, general secretary of the Burmese Women's Union (BWU).

Although the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), which controls most townships in Arakan State, is implementing its own justice system, there are criticisms that it still has many weaknesses.

Family members are also hoping for justice for the victim in the attempted rape case of a woman in Myebon Township.