July 31, 2022
In Sagaing Region, a photographer and videographer named U Aye Kyaw was arrested and executed by military forces from Battalion 33 within hours, with his body subsequently disposed of. His family retrieved his remains, as confirmed by a friend of U Aye Kyaw.
U Aye Kyaw, who lived in the Aung Chan Thar area of Sagaing, was seized by the military council forces on the morning of July 30. Later that day, his body was discarded, leading his family to recover it. Battalion 33 reportedly arrived at his home around 2 AM on June 30 to arrest him, and by approximately 4 PM that same day, they disposed of his body.
It remains unclear why Battalion 33 detained and executed U Aye Kyaw. A friend stated, “They entered his home at around 2 AM to arrest him. Previously, the local administrative officials had also come to make arrests. By the afternoon, they disposed of his body. The military disposed of him near a roadside in the area of Shwebyu Yin shop.” The friend’s phone was also reportedly confiscated by the military.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Battalion 33 has been arbitrarily arresting civilians, with at least three people being executed and their bodies disposed of. Families have been pressured to collect their deceased relatives without posting on social media, as the military has threatened them. A local resident mentioned, “Last night, Battalion 33 killed three civilians. They threatened us not to post about retrieving the bodies they disposed of. Those detained by Battalion 33 are being labeled as PDF members and executed in the conflict. During the night, they drink and celebrate in the barracks while playing music, and many unknown victims are being killed.”
