Many local residents of Rakhine State, who were arrested by the junta authority suspecting their involvement with the Arakan/ Rakhine Army, were released, but some people with the same accusation are facing the unlawful association act in several courts of the State in western Myanmar.

Lately, seven people including a amateur photographer named U Saw Moe Kyaw hailing from Min Pya town, who were arrested on 2 January from Kyauk Taw town on suspicion of being related to the AA, appeared in the court on Monday.

They all were prosecuted under section 17(1) of the unlawful association act. They are identified as Maung Than Htay from Kyauk Taw town, Maung Tun Hlaing, U Than Soe from Ponn Kyung town, Ko Myo Oo from Ponn Gyun town, Maung Kao and Maung Kyaw Maung Lin from North U town (besides U Saw Moe Kyaw).

A Kyauk Taw-based resident informed that they all appeared in the court, but nobody from their families were present on the occasion as they had no prior information.

All those seven individuals will have to appear again in the court on 9 January. They were arrested after a gunfight between the AA members and military personnel in the State.

At least 9 people from Kyauk Taw township were prosecuted under article 17(1) of draconian laws and three individuals were prosecuted under section 505(a) of the sedition laws.

Out of them, seven appeared in the court and the remaining two were prosecuted under 17(1). Three individuals, who were prosecuted under 505(a), will face the court tomorrow.

No less than 100 civilians of Rakhine State were arrested for allegedly maintaining links with the AA. Some were released, but most of them are still facing prosecution.

The concerned family members and human rights activists have called the authorities to release all of them as soon as possible. They argued that as an informal ceasefire with the AA is in place since 26 November, hence they should be released.