Military junta kills 9 political prisoners

Nine prisoners, who were arrested for political reasons, were brutally shot dead by the junta forces in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

The Arakan Army (AA) claimed in a statement issued on Sunday that the victims include Ko Kyaw Zan Wai (aka) Phoe La Pyae (aka) Rain Shoet, known for sharing humorous posts on social media, journalist Ko Myat Thu Tun (aka) Phoe Thiha, oil mill owner Ko Kyaw Thein Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing, Ko Ko Nyunt, Ko Win Naing and Ko Pyae Sone Win in Mrauk-U cell. Those killed in the Minbya cell include Ko Nyi Nyi Aung (aka) Aung Zaw Win and  U Kyaw Nyunt.

Two junta soldiers from the 378th light infantry battalion, stationed in Mrauk-U, shot dead seven civilians.

They were killed at around 2 pm on 31 January in the battalion's cell. Later the soldiers buried the bodies in a bomb shelter near Mrauk-U hospital, added the statement.

On the other hand, the soldiers from 379th light infantry battalion stationed in Minbya  shot dead Nyi Nyi Aung from Rathedaung township and U Kyaw Nyunt from Minbya township at around 3:45 pm on 19 January. They were arrested under various charges.

Among those killed, Kyaw Zan Wai was a popular social media user. His song titled ‘Exodus’ gained a lot of popularity. Journalist Myat Thu Tun used to work for  DVB and other media outlets.

Those who were killed faced charges under sections (a) and (b) of 505 of the penal code, asserted the AA statement, adding that the junta continues to indulge in war crimes, including arbitrary arrests and killings of civilians not only in the Rakhine and Paletwa regions but across Myanmar.