Demand Made for Immediate Release of Three Rakhine Youths Under Arrest Without Evidence

U Tun Aung Kyaw, Maung Tun Saw Thein, Ko Ko Than Hlaing, and Ko Tun Naing Linn held the press conference at an office near Lawkananda in Sittwe from 4 pm to 5 pm. Around 25 people including journalists attended the press conference.

“We are holding the press conference because Rakhine youths have been unlawfully detained and other youths are being observed. The three youths have been arrested on suspicion in the shooting death of military corporal Ko Phone Lone. Also, we have learned that a remand has been obtained from the court under Section 302,” U Tun Aung Kyaw continued.

His friends told the press conference that Ko Khine Bo Bo and Ko Aung Zaw Linn were with them during the time of the crime.

U Tun Aung Kyaw confirmed that Ko May Yu Tun was not in Sittwe and he was in Rathedaung with the ANP members for the by-election campaign since September 23 before Ko Phone Lone was killed.

“Our party youth member May Yu Tun was not in Sittwe on the day of the crime. He came to Sittwe from Yangon on the 23rd. He was in Rathedaung with the party members for Rathedaung by-election since that night. He was with us from the 23rd to the 28th,” U Tun Aung Kyaw said.

Pyithu Hluttaw MP Daw Khin Saw Wai from Rathedaung Township also confirmed that May Yu Tun was participating in the campaign together with her and other ANP members in Kan Pyin Village of Rathedaung Township on the day of the crime on September 25.

Ko Khine Bo Bo, Ko Aung Zaw Linn, and Ko May Yu Tun have been remanded in custody up to October 22 and they will be taken to court on that day.