An interview with a man who is freed after being charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code.
October 20th, 2021
On October 19th, the military granted amnesty to 22 detainees from Loikaw Prison, who were charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code. The KT interviewed a Karenni youth who faced the charge under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, for sticking anti-military papers.
Q: When and why did you get arrested?
A: I got arrested on April 29th. I distributed anti-military papers at around 9 am. Then, I reentered the ward for a while. I went to the betel nut shop as my friend wanted to chew the betel. I got arrested when I was buying betel nut.
Q: How many people got arrested at that time?
A: Only two. The one from my case has been released since 30th June.
Q: How many people got the military council’s amnesty?
A: Today, 20 out of 22 detainees got amnesty. The remaining two charged under Section 505 got amnesty. But they have been charged under Section 19 (e) as they brought weapons to the protest.
Q: With which section did the authorities charge you after arrest?
A: At the beginning, I was detained in Phruso Police Station. I arrived in Loikaw at around 2 pm. The police filed a case against me under Section 505 since I was in Phruso. The police applied for a remand to the judge. I had to spend one night in Loikaw Myoma police station. The next day, I was sent to jail after covid test. I was kept in the police jail for two weeks. Then, I was sent to prison.
Q: How many people charged under Section 505 are there in the prison?
A: There are many detainees. A group of 74 people who were allegedly accused of attending the military training course. There are many people who got arrested for no apparent reason. Some people got arrested while going to the funeral ceremony and wedding ceremony. These people remain behind bars. Even the company staff also got arrested under Section 505. They did not violate any law.
Q: How did you pass the days in prison?
A: At the beginning, there were around 20 people in our room. But up to 40 people were accommodated in a room. We were not comfortable as the room was crowded with detainees. A room has only one toilet. There are around 30 people in a room when I get out of the jail.
Q: Which section do they face?
A: Section 505 (a) and Section 19 (f). A man got arrested for the possession of a knife. He has been detained for more than six months. The maximum sentence for his case is six months. He was arrested when he went to kill the pig. Some people are charged under Section 19 (f), 19 (j) and (e).
Q: How many detainees charged under Section 505 are there?
A: There are 32 detainees charged under Section 505 (a). The rest is charged under Section 19 (f). Those accused of being military trainees are not included in the list.
Q: May I know about the healthcare system in the prison?
A: The detainees get full health care. The detainees can go to the clinic when they feel unwell.
Q: Is the court still hearing your case or has the court ruled out?
A: A complainant from my case has been questioned. I could not appear in court for a long period of time as the witness was unable to come. The court is still hearing my case and has not ruled out yet.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: I got arrested as I sticked anti-military papers. It is meaningful as I sticked papers and was charged under Section 505. Some people got arrested while at their homes, on the way to the wedding ceremony and at the funeral ceremony. There is no court hearing and appearance for them. No one comes to meet them. They are in a very difficult situation. Some people remain behind bars due to the possession of knives used for cutting pork. I want the officials to do something for them.
Sent by Maw Oo Myar (Kantarawaddy Times)
