U Hla Thein, the information officer and attorney-general of the Arakan State military government, wrote on his Facebook page on August 31 that the government is working to drop some cases filed under the Counter-Terrorism Law in Arakan State.

He said the military had given formal notification that some of the cases were to be dropped, adding that the local government would seek the approval of the Central Committee for Counter Terrorism before making decisions on the proceedings.

U Hla Thein wrote that township courts had been notified to drop some cases against defendants charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law, and that the move is being carried out to ensure peace and stability in Arakan State at the guidance and instruction of the military leadership.

The cases to be dropped are six in Kyauktaw Township, one each from Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Minbya and Ann, and two each from Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships, for a total of 14 cases and 35 accused.

“I think my son will be involved in the dismissal this time. The case is about two years away and I would like to demand the release of innocent people,” said Daw Ni Ni Aye, mother of Ko Nyi Nyi Aung, a 25-year-old man from Kyaukseik village in Kyauktaw Township who was sued under the Counter-Terrorism Law.

Ko Nyi Nyi Aung, Ko Aung Myo Lin, 24, and Ko Maung Chay, 24, from Kyaukseik village; Ko Min Soe, 38, from Ponnagyun; and Ko Kyaw Win Hein, 22, from Zeepingyi village in Mrauk-U Township were arrested on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) in April of last year.

The Arakan Army was removed from the Central Committee for Counter Terrorism’s list of terrorist groups on March 11, 2021.  

“Now that the charges are based on terrorism, I think all charges against terrorism should be dropped in accordance with the law,” said U Kyaw Nyunt Maung, a lawyer.

Twenty-one cases brought under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law and involving allegedly illegal ties to the formerly terrorist-designated Arakan Army had been dropped since the ethnic armed group was de-listed, the Arakan State Administration Council said in June.

More than 200 people were arrested and charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law after being accused of associating with the AA during some two years of fighting in Arakan State, according to data from the Thazin Legal Institute.

There were 201 people charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law statewide: Sixty-four in Sittwe, 47 in Mrauk-U, 76 in Kyaukphyu, nine in Thandwe and five in Buthidaung, according to Arakanese civil society organisations.

It has been about 10 months since a cessation of hostilities between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army in Arakan State.