Khaing Myo Tun, deputy in-charge of ALP’s information department was booked under defamation case relating to Myanmar Army personnel, said a police officer.
“We have arrested Khaing Myo Tun from Baukthi Su ward of Sittwe at around 3 pm, as he was charged by the Sittwe Township Court following the complaint by a lieutenant colonel based in regional headquarter in last May. Presently Khaing Myo Tun is being lodged at Sittwe prison,” said the officer.
The ALP is an Arakanese ethnic armed group, which had signed a ceasefire agreement with the U Thein Sein government in State level. But lately the ALP issued a statement criticizing the Burma Army for its human rights violation particularly in the issue of ongoing conflicts between the Arakan Army rebels and Myanmar Army troops.
On 27 April, colonel Htin Lin, who is the Minister of Security & Border Affairs in Arakan State government, summoned Khaing Myo Tun along with Khaing Ray Lin to Sittwe to warn against the ALP statement.
The State Minister informed Khaing Myo Tun and Khaing Ray Lin that they would be prosecuted if their allegations against Myanmar Army turned incorrect.
Later Khaing Myo Tun was charged with the defamation case (not having respect to Burma Army) under the act 505 (B) and act 505 (C) by the Sittwe township court.
“Khaing Myo Tun was summoned by the court many times, but he avoided the directive and did not prefer to attend the proceedings. Hence we detained him after the Sittwe Township Court issued a warrant against Khaing Myo Tun,” added the police officer.
