Five ethnic Rakhine villagers, including a schoolteacher, arrested last week have been charged under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law and were remanded in custody Tuesday at Buthidaung Township Court in Rakhine state, RFA reported.

Primary school teacher Naing Aung Htun, village administrator San Maung, and three others from Buthidaung’s Kyaukyan village were arrested by a government military regiment on Aug. 9.

Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said they are being charged under the 2014 law because of credible evidence pointing to connections with the Arakan Army (AA).

If found guilty, the five face sentences of 10 years to life in prison.

Myanmar border guard police officers man their station at the Goke Pi police outpost, in Buthidaung Township, northern Rakhine State, western Myanmar, 07 January 2019. Photo: EPA