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| AA Commander Gen. Tun Myat Naing sister Yamin Myat told the press, "Is it fair to arrest relative of Tun Myat Naing" |
Myanmar Government Lashed Out Prisoners Exchange in Rakhine
“Some family members who spoked to our news agency want government to negotiate with AA for their loved ones’ freedom.”
Naypaytaw, 16 November 2019
Myanmar President Office Spokesperson Zaw Htay lashed out the offer of Arakan Army for prisoner of war (POW) exchange. He told the press in Naypaytaw yesterday it was non-sense. He did not recognize the arrested 17 officers as POW.
He continued and said President has given order Tatmadaw to launch counter insurgency operation against AA, and he blamed the army it had to do its job effectively.
He was referring the counter insurgency operation to the order given by Aung San Suu Kyi in January when AA attacked several police outposts.
Arakan Army recently released a statement and urged the government and army to exchange 17 officers with the Rakhine prisoners and accused.
The statement said Myanmar army wrongfully arrested many Rakhine people by accusing either affiliated with or members of AA and wished to exchange.
These officers were arrested from Shwe Nadi speed boat in October. The statement said the detainees were well taken care off and would be released according with the exchange agreement.
Arakan Information Center (AiC) documented 350 civilians have been imprisoned since January 2019. Some are under ages.
UN and human rights organizations reported the detainees were tortured and some were killed by severally torturing.
One of the military officers who had been in Rakhine State told our news agency previously the arrested were forced to sign on the papers they were members of AA after cruelly torturing and beating.
AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha said Myanmar soldiers randomly arrested the villagers and tortured them to force to admit. They had to choose between death or jailed.
The government spokesman denied AA claim of wrongful arrests and said the Rakhine accused were punished accordingly with the due process laws.
The wife of the police officer from Sagaing Division talked to Open Myanmar News TV and she said, “None of the government officials contacted me and explained how the government was trying to rescue my husband.” She continued, “My husband and other officers are not included in the list of prisoners released by AA. He might be killed and I want to know what happennd to my husband. And, I appeal Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President to help freedom of my husbands and other police officers.”
Myanmar Army Spokesperson Col. Zaw Min Tun told the local news outlets Tatmadaw would rescue the detainees by effective military operations.
Arakan Army attacked three military bases in Rathedaung in the night fall of November 15. Local people reported there were many casualties in attacks.
Leaders of the government and army determine they will rescue the POW by increasing more military operations and use of air powers.
Ma Yamin Myat, sister of AA commander, told the press during her appearance in the court in Yangon on November 15, "Is it fair arresting relatives of Tun Myat Naing.?
She is charged with center terrorism laws. She was arrested at the airport last month when she came and pick up her husband, Kyaw Naing, returning from Thailand.
Her brother Aung Myat Kyaw is also charged with center terrorism laws after he was deported from Singapore in July.
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