July 20th, 2021
A man from Mrauk-U Township in Arakan State who was tortured by the military council at an interrogation camp and suffered multiple injuries is currently receiving medical treatment in Yangon, according the man’s family members.
Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing, a 22-year-old tricycle driver, was arrested by the military council on June 22nd as he was leaving his home. According to his wife Ma Hla Hla Myint, he suffered injuries and was taken to Yangon for medical treatment on July 3rd.
“The district police chief called me to tell me that my husband was sick and needed to be taken to the hospital. First, he was sent to Sittwe. Then he was urgently transferred to Yangon because the kidney testing equipment at Sittwe Hopsital was out of order. He didn’t have any underlying disease. This happened during his detention. He’s receiving emergency medical treatment for external and internal injuries,” she said.
Family members said they were concerned because his kidneys were damaged and he also suffered wounds on his hands and feet.
When contacted and asked about the matter, Mrauk-U district police chief replied that he contacted the man’s family members because he had kidney disease and needed medical treatment.
“There’s no equipment for kidney tests in Rakhine either, so we had to send him to Yangon. We covered the travel expenses because the family is very poor. We also allowed his family members to accompany him because they believe her husband was unjustly arrested and tortured,” he said.
Ma Hla Hla Myint said she was worried that her husband would be arrested again after his release from the hospital in Yangon, as she had learned that the military council had initiated proceedings against him under Section 505 of the Penal Code for inciting disturbance of the public tranquility.
“I heard that they’ve opened a case against him. I don’t know if it’s under Section 505 (a) or (b). I only found out about the opening of the case through the soldiers who were guarding my husband in the hospital. I’m saddened by the case. And I’m worried that something will happen to him again if he leaves the hospital without being well,” she said.
Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura and military council’s spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun were contacted about the matter but did not answer the phone.
Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing was one of many arrests of residents in Mrauk-U by the military council after three members of the coup regime’s military intelligence were arrested by the Arakan Army (AA) on June 21st.
Some of those arrested were released after questioning, but eight other residents, including Ko Kyaw Win Hlaing, have not yet been freed.
Sent by DMG