The Maungdaw District Court on Thursday sentenced two men accused of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army (AA) to 10 years in prison with hard labour under Section 50 of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to family members.

The two men have been identified as Ko Nyi Nyi Naing from Maungdaw town and U Aung Hla Thein from Ngwe Taung village.

“We think this court verdict is completely unfair. They have done nothing wrong. My younger brother earns a living as a goldsmith,” said Ko Ko Naing, an older brother of Ko Nyi Nyi Naing.

In March and April 2020, Ko Nyi Nyi Naing and U Aung Hla Thein were arrested on suspicion of having AA connections, said family members.

Ko Nyi Nyi Naing is a goldsmith and U Aung Hla Thein is a farmer, according to family members, who have insisted that both men had no links to the Arakan Army when they were detained.

“We will not appeal to the Arakan State [High] Court, because it will not be worthwhile. We no longer trust their judiciary. We have faced trial for almost two years,” said Ko Ko Naing.

The two men are currently being held in Buthidaung Prison.

The Myanmar military and Arakan Army reached an informal ceasefire toward the end of 2020, and the military rescinded its declaration of the Arakan Army as a terrorist group on March 11, 2021.

That decision by the junta has subsequently led to widespread criticism of ongoing prosecutions against several individuals who face charges under the Counter-Terrorism Law for alleged AA links.

“They can no longer be prosecuted on suspicion of terrorism,” said the writer and former political prisoner Ko Wai Hun Aung. “At present, long-term imprisonment in connection with the Arakan Army clearly undermines the rule of law.”

About 40 people are currently facing trial and remain behind bars for alleged AA ties, according to Ko Wai Hun Aung.