Three Kyauktaw Twsp residents charged with incitement

01 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
1 July 2022, Kyauktaw 

Three people including Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win, a political and social activist detained by the Myanmar military, were charged with incitement under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code on Thursday, according to the Kyauktaw Myoma police station.

A police officer said the three are being held in military custody due to security concerns, but declined to say who was bringing charges against the trio.

“Three men were sued with incitement charges on June 30, according to sources close to the accused,” said a local who declined to be named. “They are reportedly held in military custody.”

Ko Zaw Win aka Ludu Zaw Win from Pyidawtha ward; U Kyaw Than Maung, a resident of Khaungtoke village; and Ko Zaw Moe Het, a resident of Panphechaung village, were arrested by the military on June 21, and the three men have not been allowed to meet their families.

“We don’t know about the case,” said Daw Khin Hla Zan, the wife of Ko Zaw Win. “A major from the Myanmar military phoned me this morning but didn’t tell me about the case. The Myanmar military officer also told me that he will contact me if my husband is charged.”

Family members of Ko Zaw Moe Htet also said that he had been charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. U San Hla Kyaw, the father of Ko Zaw Moe Htet, said his son has no ties to any organisations and works for a tobacco company.

“All residents in the village know that my son has no ties to any organisation,” he told DMG. “Three employees from the tobacco company including my son were arrested by the Myanmar military but two of them were later released. My son was arrested for allegedly taking a photo with a member of the Arakan Army at Zeechaung Thingyan Festival. I am worried about the case filed against him.”

It has been 11 days since the three were arrested, and family members are increasingly worried about their wellbeing as no contact has been made with the detainees.

“If the Myanmar military files a case against them, we can do nothing,” said Daw Khin Hla Zan. “It would be better for them to be sued than to be arrested and tortured without notifying family members. We are concerned for their safety.”

The military tightened security in Kyauktaw and arrested several locals including Ko Zaw Win following the Arakan Army’s detention of three policemen from Kyauktaw Myoma police station on June 20.