Six additional youth have been sent to prison for five years on Monday for ties with the Arakan Army (AA). All six youths confessed to being affiliated with AA, their lawyer U Tun Hla told the Narinjara News. The youth received three years under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act and five years for Section 17 (2), but sentences were reduced to five years.
AA was founded in 2009 and is closely allied with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) which provided their initial training near their Laiza headquarters. They say they are fighting for self-determination in the impoverished, yet resource rich Rakhine State. Since late last year the non-state armed group has clashed with the Burma Army many times resulting in casualties of government soldiers.
The six youth convicted were: Ko Soe Naing (son of U Thar Sein from Myeikwa village, Palatwa Township); Ko Oo Ba Maung (son of U Maung Khin Thein from Thaintaung village, Rathetaung Township); Ko Maung Kyaw Thein (son of U Maung Tun Sein from Kyaungshay village, Minbya Township); Ko Maung Than Wai (son of U Thar Tun Oo from Ashaepaing, Kyaukphyu), and Ko Tun Tun Win (son of U Tun Khine from Tharyarkone village, Minbya Township).
The recent verdict in Kyauktaw Township Court brings the total of those charged for affiliation with the Arakan Army to thirty-seven. The other sentences were handed down in March and April.
