Associates of resistance leader questioned following his escape from NUG custody

National Unity Government (NUG) authorities are questioning associates of a resistance leader who escaped from detention in Sagaing Region’s Mingin Township last week, according to officials. San Tin Tun, leader of the Student Revolutionary Force (SRF), escaped from the custody of the NUG-led Mingin Township People’s Administration Organisation (PAO) on July 7, officials said. He had been held since May, when he was arrested on multiple charges related to alleged offences by the SRF, including unlawful detention and killings in areas under the group’s control, the arrest and killing of ward- and village-level PAO and People’s Defence Organisation (PDO) officials, unauthorised judicial proceedings, and the forcible recruitment of minors. Officials said a total of eight criminal cases were being prepared for prosecution. Win Min Soe, the official in charge of the Mingin PAO, said San Tin Tun escaped with the assistance of an official responsible for overseeing his detention. Authorities did not disclose the location of the detention facility, citing security concerns. Following the escape, township authorities brought in several people believed to have possible connections to the case for questioning. Sources close to the SRF said members of the Mingin Township PDO detained a 20-year-old woman who had visited San Tin Tun before his escape and suspected her of involvement. The sources identified the woman as San Tin Tun’s girlfriend and a former general secretary of the Basic Education Students Union. Myanmar Now was unable to independently verify the woman’s identity. The Mingin PAO disputed reports that the woman had been arrested, saying she and her father were brought in only for questioning. “Calling in and questioning people who may have knowledge of or connections to the suspect is part of our responsibilities, and we will continue to do so as necessary,” Win Min Soe said. He also confirmed that another person identified as an SRF member was detained on Sunday but did not disclose the reason. Sources close to the SRF said authorities were also attempting to locate and detain San Tin Tun’s father. The sources criticised the questioning of relatives and associates, comparing the practice to tactics used by Myanmar’s military junta. While in custody, San Tin Tun was still being questioned in connection with multiple cases, and authorities were preparing to submit those cases to court before his escape, Win Min Soe said. Authorities have since issued an arrest warrant and circulated notices to administrative bodies across multiple districts and regions, he said. “Whether it is in territory administered by the National Unity Government or in areas controlled by allied groups, a legal warrant will be issued,” Win Min Soe said. “He will be arrested wherever he is found.” The SRF is an independent armed resistance group based in Mingin Township. Tensions between the group and administrative bodies affiliated with the NUG have intensified over the past year and escalated earlier this year. Representatives of the SRF and the NUG, including officials from the Mingin Township PDO and PAO and Kalay District People’s Defence Force battalions, met in May to negotiate a resolution to the dispute. According to participants, the sides agreed that SRF members facing allegations would be tried through the NUG’s legal process, while those not accused of crimes would be released and come under the NUG’s chain of command. The parties also agreed in principle that the SRF would become a combat battalion under the PDO. However, no details have been released on the implementation of that agreement. Myanmar Now sought comment from an SRF spokesperson and a spokesperson for the NUG’s Prime Minister’s Office regarding the status of the agreement but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Associates of resistance leader questioned following his escape from NUG custody

Student Revolutionary Force leader San Tin Tun was arrested in May on multiple charges, including unlawful detention and killings

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