Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing, a former chairperson of the Arakan Social Association-Japan (ASAJ), was arrested at Yangon International Airport on Friday upon returning to Myanmar from Japan, according to family members.
Daw Soe Moe Aye, the wife of Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing, confirmed her husband’s arrest but said she did not know why he was taken into custody.
“It’s true. We’ve heard that he was arrested at the Yangon airport. He left Japan on June 24. Since then, we’ve lost contact with him. ... I don’t know the reason for his arrest so far,” she said.
“He said he would arrive at the Yangon airport at about 9:00 today [June 25],” said Ko Win Than, the younger brother of Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing. “When I contacted him at about 10, he didn’t respond. I don’t know why he was arrested. He didn’t do anything wrong. I’m worried about him.”
Ko Kyaw Than Hlaing acted as the ASAJ’s information officer in 2019-20; its finance officer in 2010-2011; chief auditor in 2011-12; deputy chair in 2012-13; secretary from 2013-15; and chairperson from 2015-17, according to the ASAJ.
Thousands of people have been detained by the junta regime since it seized power on February 1.
