ASAJ’s former chair released after arrest at Yangon airport last week

By DMG 30 Jun 2021

DMG Newsroom
30 June 2021, Sittwe

Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing, a former chairperson of the Arakan Social Association Japan (ASAJ) who was arrested at Yangon International Airport on June 25, was released on Tuesday.

He said Military Security Affairs (Sa Ya Pha) personnel detained him last week at gunpoint and accused him of working for Myanmar’s anti-regime movement.

“I was accused of helping the National Unity Government to be recognised by Japan’s parliament and the government. I explained to them that I haven’t supported the NUG and have only helped IDPs in Arakan State since fighting ceased in the state. So, I’ve been released. I haven’t been beaten,” said Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing.

He added that he was also asked whether he was associated with the Arakan Army (AA), and was released after the AA’s commander-in-chief pressured the Myanmar military for his release.

Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing said authorities should not detain people who are returning from abroad without having a concrete reason for doing so, citing the significant worry that his arrest had caused family members.

Thousands of people have been detained by the junta regime since it seized power on February 1.

Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing acted as the ASAJ’s information officer in 2019-20; its finance officer in 2010-11; chief auditor in 2011-12; deputy chair in 2012-13; secretary from 2013-15; and chairperson from 2015-17, according to the ASAJ.