October 14, 2022
According to local sources, the military junta has executed three civilians without cause in Yangon Region’s Kawmhu and Sagaing Region’s Budalin. On the evening of October 6, the military arrested a bicycle thief in Yata Lay village, Kawmhu Township. Following false statements made by the thief, the military subsequently detained eight civilians under the pretext that they were hiding weapons for the People’s Defense Force (PDF).
The eight civilians wrongfully detained include residents from Karen Sue, Dyan Shai, and Kyone Pha villages: Maung Kyaw Thet, U Kyaw Naing, Maung Wei Yan, Maung Kula, Ma Puta, Ma Maw San, Maung Htun Lin, and a man known as Kyaw Zaw Min. Locals reported that Kyaw Zaw Min died due to injuries inflicted by the military during his detention.
The bicycle thief’s false accusations led to the military arresting the eight civilians. On October 9, a mentally ill detainee named Ko Kyaw Zaw Min was subjected to torture by the military, and he was transported to Yangon Hospital on October 10. However, he succumbed to injuries sustained while in military custody.
A local stated, “The thief used the military interrogation to point fingers at innocent people. The thief is a true criminal; he has been caught several times for stealing in previous years. He implicated innocent individuals as PDF members, leading to the detention of eight civilians. On October 8, the thief falsely claimed that the detained civilians had hidden weapons, resulting in their arrest. On the morning of October 9, four individuals, including Kyaw Zaw Min, were taken away, and Kyaw Zaw Min later died from torture in military custody.”
On October 11, the military informed the family members of Ko Kyaw Zaw Min about his death, allowing only three family members to attend the funeral, while the military enforced a mourning period. It was reported on October 13 that the military threatened Yata Lay villagers to suppress news of the deaths.
Additionally, information regarding the seven civilians detained by the military remains uncommunicated. It was reported that Maung Kyaw Thet sustained serious injuries to his head during detention, as the military struck him with a baton. The military later transported him in a truck toward the mountain area.
Similarly, in Sagaing Region’s Budalin Township, two local villagers were arrested and executed by the military during an operation on October 11, with their bodies recovered on October 13.
