No charges filed against Thai soldiers over torture death of Myanmar national after over 2 years, says Fortify Rights

In the case of Myanmar national Aung Ko Ko, who died from beatings and torture by Thai soldiers in Mae Sot Township, on the Thai-Myanmar border, no military officials have been charged even after more than two years, Fortify Rights said. Officials from the Office for the Prevention and Eradication of Torture and Forced Disappearances under the Directorate of Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and Freedoms visited Mae Sot Township on September 1 and 2 to conduct on-site investigations to provide reparations for the family of the deceased Myanmar national Aung Ko Ko. The investigation team visited the scene of the incident, near the border gate on the Thai-Myanmar border, in Ward 1, Village Tract No. 1, Hsaithalut Village, Mae Sot Township, along with six witnesses, and conducted verification of the incident sites. On January 12, 2024, the Thai army arrested and interrogated Aung Ko Ko, who was wearing a uniform of a village security patrol member known as "Chor Lor Bor," and beat and tortured him for reasons unknown. Although other members testified that Aung Ko Ko was a member of the Chor Lor Bor group, three Thai border guard soldiers continued to beat and torture him, and by the time they released him, the injuries he sustained were so severe that he died before receiving medical treatment. Although the Mae Sot Police Station is said to have conducted investigations, no investigation has been carried out against the Thai soldiers who were primarily involved. Instead, a civilian named Sirachet, who participated in the beating of Aung Ko Ko, was identified as the main perpetrator and sentenced to three years and four months in prison, according to a report to Fortify Rights. Currently, the investigation team that visited again stated that they would submit the evidence and incident details they have obtained to the Compensation and Reparation Committee and work to ensure that compensation is provided to the deceased's family.