Nine political prisoners facing charges were ruthlessly gunned down by Junta forces in Rakhine State.
The Arakan Army (AA)'s information department issued a statement dated February 11th addressing the killings. According to the statement, those killed in the detention center in Mrauk-U include individuals such as Ko Kyaw Zan Wai (aka Phoe La Pyae aka Rain Shoet), renowned for sharing humorous content on social media, journalist Ko Myat Thu Tun (aka Phoe Thiha), oil mill owner Ko Kyaw Thein Hlaing, Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing, Ko Ko Nyunt, Ko Win Naing, and Ko Pyae Sone Win.
Two more prisoners were shot dead in a military detention cell in Minbya Township have been identified as Ko Nyi Nyi Aung (aka Aung Zaw Win) and U Kyaw Nyunt.
Seven innocent civilians from Mrauk-U Township, who had been unjustly arrested and detained, were brutally shot dead by two Junta soldiers from the 378th Light Infantry Battalion stationed in Mrauk-U. The incident occurred around 2:00 pm on January 31st, 2024, while the victims were held in the battalion's cell. Then soldiers reportedly buried the bodies in a bomb shelter near Mrauk-U Hospital, AA’s statement said.
The statement also disclosed that soldiers from the 379th Light Infantry Battalion of the 'terrorist' Junta, based in Minbya, carried out the execution of Ko Nyi Nyi Aung (aka Aung Zaw Win) from Rathedaung Township and U Kyaw Nyunt from Minbya Township. These individuals, detained under multiple conspiracy charges, were killed in the military cell on January 19th, 2024, at around 3:45 pm.
Among those killed was Ko Kyaw Zan Wai (also known as Rain Shoet), recognized for sharing humorous content, military insights, and political updates on his Facebook profile. His song titled "Exodus" also garnered significant popularity.
Ko Phoe Thiha, another among the deceased, was a journalist known for his contributions to DVB and various other news outlets.
The victims who were killed were facing political charges under Sections (A) and (B) of Article 505 of the Penal Code for allegedly inciting unrest.
AA's statement further asserted that the 'terrorist' Junta has been blatantly committing numerous similar acts of war crimes, including arbitrary arrests and the killing of innocent individuals, not only in Rakhine State and Paletwa area but also throughout Myanmar.
