The sister of the Arakan Army (AA) Chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing has been detained along with her family on 18 October by the police at the Yangon International Airport after they returned from Bangkok, Thailand on 18 October, a member of the family who declined to be named told the DMG.

They were arrested upon arrival at Yangon International Airport after they received medical treatment in Bangkok, Thailand, the family member added. The detainees are identified as Ma Moe Hnin Phyu, younger sister of AA Chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing, her husband U Kyaw Naing and her three-year old daughter Thu Thazin.

“I think arresting relatives and family members of the Arakan Army chief are unfair. They were detained at Yangon International Airport upon returning from Bangkok, Thailand after they underwent medical checkups there. Many Myanmar citizens are now flocking to either Bangkok or Singapore to receive medical treatment and to go shopping. Why do Myanmar authorities arrest only family members of the Arakan Army (AA) chief? I think it is an intrusion on the lives of Myanmar citizens,” the anonymous source said.

The DMG contacted Police Col Myo Thu Soe, spokesperson of the Myanmar Police Force by phone, but he could not be reached.

Ko Aung Mrat Kyaw, younger brother of the Arakan Army (AA) Chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing was detained by the Singaporean Government on 10 July on suspicion of fundraising for the AA. He was later arrested by Myanmar authorities at Yangon International Airport after he was deported from Singapore.