Political prisoner Ko Arkar Min severely injured in group attack by two inmates at Myaung Hla Prison in Kale Township, with alleged support from prison authorities

YANGON – The Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM) has stated that prison authorities provided support and remained indifferent to the incident where political prisoner Ko Arkar Min was collectively attacked by two inmates sentenced to death at Myaung Hla Prison in Kale Township, Sagaing Region. According to Ma Yaung Ni Lin, a leading committee member of the PPNM, at approximately 4 p.m. on June 28, inmate Thiha Aung suddenly attacked the 46-year-old political prisoner Ko Arkar Min, who had come out of his cell, from behind, while inmate Paing Zin Lat restrained him and they collectively beat him. It is understood that Ko Arkar Min sustained facial swelling and lacerations near his eyes from the attack, requiring three stitches. Ma Yaung Ni Lin, a leading committee member of the PPNM, commented that this incident was not an act committed by ordinary inmates on their own volition, but rather an act that could only be carried out openly with the backing and support of prison authorities. "Looking at this incident, it appears that the prison authorities are resolving the situation by siding with the inmates. The safety of political prisoners within the prison has reached a state of extreme concern. It is not easy for ordinary inmates to go and attack a political prisoner so openly. They would fear further charges and facing more difficult circumstances within the prison, so they would not do it easily. However, only those who have the support of prison staff and authorities dare to commit such acts," said Ma Yaung Ni Lin. She explained that according to prison regulations, if a fight breaks out between inmates, both parties must be separated. However, in this incident, only the injured political prisoner was transferred to another wing, and he was not even provided with adequate medical treatment, describing this action as a "sleight of hand" by the prison authorities. The PPNM also pointed out that not only the two perpetrators but also the prison authorities and staff who failed to take adequate action bear responsibility. It is understood that Ko Arkar Min is a political prisoner serving a 19-year sentence under various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Law, including Section 50(g), 51(a), 50(z), Section 145 for unlawful assembly, and Section 6(1) for destruction of public property related to an incident within the prison. It is also known that the inmate Paing Zin Lat, who attacked him, had previously played football with him inside the prison, and there had been no major conflict between them. It is understood that the perpetrators, 23-year-old Thiha Aung and 26-year-old Paing Zin Lat, are inmates who were sentenced to death by the Kale District Court under Section 302(1)(c) of the Penal Code for the murder of a young woman and the concealment of her body in September 2023. The PPNM stated that the prison authorities immediately transferred the injured Ko Arkar Min to Wing (2), but the two inmates who physically assaulted him were kept in their original locations. Only the next day were investigations conducted, and they were only subjected to being shackled and made to sign a guarantee letter. The PPNM has pointed out that the prison authorities' response to the incident where death-row inmates collectively attacked a political prisoner is insufficient, and this situation continues to threaten the lives and safety of political prisoners within the prison. Citing statements from individuals released from Myaung Hla Prison, the PPNM reported that Myaung Hla Prison has a notorious reputation for corruption, sexual harassment, and torture of political prisoners, including intentional beatings with batons, electric shocks, and slapping with shoes, and that when conflicts arise between inmates and political prisoners, political prisoners are usually punished more severely.