Two men from Maungdaw township, located on western border of Myanmar, were sentenced to 10 years in prison each on charges of maintaining links with the Arakan Army (AA).

According to their families, they were sentenced by the Maungdaw district court on 21 April under section 50 (i) of the anti-terrorism act.

Those sentenced are identified as Nyi Nyi Naing (28 years old) from ward number 3 and U Aung Hla Thein (46) from Ngwe Taung village.

Aung Hla Thein was arrested in April 2019 after he was called by the officers from Pyin Phyu police station to guide for a route, claimed his daughter Ma Than Sein Oo.

"The police personnel lied and actually called my father for asking necessary directions. When he went there, he was arrested. I am very sad over the sentence,” she added.

Her father  was prosecuted by the Pyin Phyu police chief under the anti-terrorism laws.

Nyi Nyi Naing was arrested in March 2020, but his family members have no idea why he was picked up by the police.

His brother commented, "I'm sorry. I do not think any appeal will make any difference.”

They are presently inside Buthidaung prison in northern Arakan (Rakhine) State.