Two political prisoners rearrested after 'release' from Kyaukphyu Prison

By Admin 04 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

4 August 2025, Kyaukphyu

Two men serving time on politically motivated charges in Arakan State's Kyaukphyu Prison were recently released by prison officials after their sentences expired, but Myanmar's military regime reportedly rearrested them at the prison gate.

Ko Tin Tun, 31, and another man from Kyaukphyu's Ayarshi Ward, who were sentenced to prison under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, were ostensibly released on August 1 after serving their sentences. But their families told DMG that junta police rearrested the two before they could leave the prison compound.

"When the family members went to meet them, the police rearrested them at the entrance to the prison and took them back to the prison. They were rearrested on the grounds that there were still more cases to be investigated, but it is not yet known exactly what cases they will be investigated for," said a male family member of U Tin Tun.

U Tin Tun was sentenced to three years in prison by the Kyaukphyu Township Court under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act after being arrested by junta soldiers in November 2022.

DMG continues to investigate the details surrounding the other man's charges, sentence and rearrest.

The two men's "release" and rearrest in short order has local precedent.

U Thauk Hsan, a resident of Kyaukphyu who was released from prison in May following charges criticised as politically motivated, was reportedly rearrested by the military regime and remains behind bars.

"There are people who are released from prison after their release date, but they are rearrested again at the prison gate, and charged with new crimes. In other words, such people are being oppressed. The law is in the hands of the military regime, and they do whatever they want," said a local man.

According to a DMG tally, from early 2022 to present, at least 110 Kyaukpyu residents have been arrested by the military regime for alleged links to the Arakan Army (AA) and held in prisons, police stations, and interrogation camps.

Most of them have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to 10 years under politically fraught statutes such as Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, and Sections 17(a) and (b) of the Unlawful Associations Act. Some are facing serious health problems due to lack of access to medical treatment.