21 Arakanese political prisoners rearrested after 'release' from Pathein Prison

By Admin 18 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

18 July 2025, Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region

Myanmar's military regime has rearrested 21 political prisoners who were briefly released from Pathein Prison in Ayeyarwady Region, charging them under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law and Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, according to sources close to the prison.

The Arakanese political prisoners were released on July 11, but were rearrested at the prison gate and charged with two counts, said a man close to the prison.

"Among the 21 Arakanese political prisoners are 14 men and seven women. They were arrested at the prison gate and have been charged with previous crimes. I don't know which township they live in," the man added.

The Arakanese political prisoners who were rearrested were among hundreds of political prisoners transferred from Sittwe Prison to Pathein Prison in October 2024.

Arakan State residents have condemned the military regime's actions in rearresting and prosecuting those who were released from prison.

"I would like to say that the military regime is committing evil acts by arresting and prosecuting those who have been released from prison after serving their sentences. The military regime has done this in mainland Myanmar before," said an Arakanese displaced woman sheltering in Ayeyarwady Region.

After the Arakan Army (AA) began battles for control of towns in Arakan State, the military regime transferred 351 prisoners, including political prisoners, from Sittwe Prison to Pathein Prison in October 2024. Two DMG staff members were among those transferred.

During the conflict, which began in 2019, hundreds of people in Arakan State have been arrested and imprisoned by the military regime on suspicion of having AA ties.