Thandwe man jailed for protesting military dictatorship

By DMG 05 Mar 2022

DMG Newsroom
5 March 2022, Thandwe

A young man from Arakan State’s Thandwe town was sentenced to more than a year in prison for participating in a protest against the military dictatorship, according to family members.

The victim was identified as 30-year-old Ko Zeyar Twan. He was arrested on February 16 and was sentenced to one year and one month in prison under Section 19 of the Natural Disaster Management Law and Section 25 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law on March 3, a family member said.

“He was taken from home for allegedly questioning. He was arraigned one time and jailed without a lawyer,” the family member added.

Ko Zeyar Twan was charged under Section 25 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law and Section 19 of the Natural Disaster Management Law for joining an anti-coup protest in Thandwe in February of last year, said an official from the Thandwe Township police station.

Ko Zeyar Twan has been declared a fugitive by the Thandwe Township Court for allegedly absconding and has now been arrested, according to a police official.

“Cases against him were opened in February. He was not found at the time of his arrest and was declared a fugitive under Sections 87 and 86. He has just been arrested and is being prosecuted,” the police official added.

Ko Han Myo Thurein, a young man from Ngapali town, was arrested on February 13 for protesting against the military dictatorship in Thandwe town. He was sued under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision that has been frequently used by the regime to stifle dissent.