August 15th,2023
According to Ko Min Lwin Oo, a member of Dawei District Democracy Activism Strike Committee who is leading a non-violent public protest but unfortunately, his father has been sued by the military council, under Section 505(a) for defaming the country.
Last June 29, the father of Ko Min Lwin Oo, a member of the Dawei district strike committee, was arrested at home by the Military Council in PyinHtein village of LaunglonTownship. Ko Min Lwin Oo reported that his father was beaten and taken away from his home on the pretext of finding a student union wristband and a rose-colored women’s union shirt.
“When they came to look for the house, they said, a rose-colored women’s union shirt and a student union wristband was found. The wristband was found under the bookcase. That may be mine or others. If they bring it, they can bring it. Even if it’s mine, it’s obvious that my parents don’t know. If the parents knew, it wouldn’t be like this situation. They will do something. My stuff only belongs to me,” he said.
On August 12, a case was filed against U Aung Phay, father of Ko Min Lwin Oo under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code for the reason that a student union wristband and shirt were found.
Ko Min Lwin Oo, a member of the strike committee of Dawei District, continued, “They found the wristbands and shirts, so they charged them under 505(a). 505(a) of the Penal Code, there is no evidence to the extent that a case can be prosecuted. They put on the section they want. They already have the number of years they will drop.”
According to Ko Min Lwin Oo, a member of the strike committee, the military council forces did not allow the 65-year-old U Aung Phay to see his family members until nearly 2 months after the day he was arrested at the Launglon police station.
“From the moment of arrest, the family members repeatedly asked to see his father but were not allowed to meet. The military junta said they will allow them to see his father once they do the necessary interrogations and file a lawsuit,” he said.
At the moment, Ko Min Lwin Oo’s father was detained at the Launglon City Police Station and was allowed to see his family on August 13, and his health condition is said to be good.
When the military council army came to arrest Ko Min Lwin Oo’s father at his home, they took 800,000 Kyats, two handphones and some valuables. According to Ko Min Lwin Oo, most of the people arrested in LaungLon Township and prosecuted under Section 505(a) are tried at the LaungLon Township Police Station.
“They did not say when they will appear in court. Many of the 505 people who were arrested in LaungLon Township have been tried in LaungLon,” he said.
Ko Min Lwin Oo, a member of the strike committee of Dawei District, said that it is not unusual for revolutionary youth across the country to suffer family members when the military council forces can’t arrest the people who they want and that the revolution will continue with non-violent mass movement strikes until the military dictatorship fails.
Last November 2021, Ko Min Lwin Oo’s mother was detained and interrogated by the Military Council for 5 days. The family members of about five democracy activists in Dawei District were arrested and imprisoned. The killings and the burning of houses were also carried out by the military council troops and their associates, according to local news sources.
News – Naw An Ni
Photo – Ko Min Lwin Oo’s father U Aung Phay
Phar Si Than (People’s Radio Myanmar