Following investigations the authorities have arrested 22 people for being involved with the Arakan Army (AA) as of 18 May, said Police Major Khin Maung, the head of Kyauktaw Township Police Station in Arakan State.
He said to Narinjara News: “Yes, 20 people who were involved with the AA were put on trial on 15 May, the other two, will be put on trial on 29 May after the case has been prepared.”
He also complained that Narinjara News uses the term Arakan Army and said they should use the term Arakan insurgents instead.
He confirmed that the 20 people currently on trial are being prosecuted under section 17/1, being involved with an illegal armed group and that the remaining two suspects, who were arrested on 14 May, will also be prosecuted under section 17/1.
According to Police Maj. Gen. Khin Maung the accused are from Sittwe, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Rathedaung townships and other areas.
He said: “They can hire lawyers, the questions at the trial and the verdict will be transparent, so they can all hire lawyers.”
Narinjara tried to contact the relatives of the accused but they were unable to do so because no one answered the phone.
Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI
