The military council has arrested civilians by accusing them of having links to the Arakan Army (AA) and extorts money from them, according to those who experienced it.
A detainee from Sittwe said: “The military council extorts Ks-100,000 from some detainees while other detainees have to pay Ks-300,000. Then, they were released. I had to pay Ks-100,000. I was tortured. I had to pay money as I may get arrested.
According to the people who have personally experienced the arrest of the military council, the military council arrests those who may pay money, accusing of having links to the Arakan Army (AA) in Sittwe, Taungup, Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships in Arakan State.
A family member of the detainee said: “The police said the detainees will be released if they pay money. Some people can’t afford to pay money. However, they have to pay money they ask for as offspring, husbands and sons will be imprisoned without guilt.”
“Now, everyone may get arrested if they are suspicious. Even civil servants have got arrested. The detainees are labeled as the Arakan Army (AA). They extort money from the detainees. If you don’t pay, they will torture you. They will sue you for alleged links to the AA,” a local said.
The civilians who have nothing to do with the Arakan Army (AA) are also afraid of being arrested by the military council.
The persons close to the detainees said that the military council troops chased passers-by unexpectedly and detained them in police stations. They would be released if they paid money, and those who could not pay were beaten and threatened not to tell anyone if they came out.
A resident of Kyaukphyu said that more than 100 civilians in Arakan State have been arrested by the military council and some of them have been released after extorting money.
“The military council arrested many people in Kyaukphyu by finding the faults. They extorted money and then released them. The military council is making illegal business with the use of arms,” the local resident said.
The military council has arrested and opened cases against not only civilians, business people, social activists and those from the CSOs but also Arakanese singers and monks under various sections, according to local residents.
On 6 December, the military council arrested the owner of Nilar Aung Facebook account, Tin Nilar Aung (b) Mi Nge from Zaytaung ward in Ann Township, for allegedly sharing incitement and propaganda on social media with the aim of disrupting national peace and stability.
At around 11:00 p.m. on 7 December, the military council arrested the owner of the Mi Mi Khaing Facebook account in Ward No. 1 in Thandwe Township of Arakan State, for allegedly spreading propaganda on social media.
Similarly, the military council arrested a woman and a man from Sittwe on 4 December and then opened the case against them under Section 505 (a) the Penal Code, according to residents.
Sent by Narinjara