Family waits nearly a year for verdict in custodial death under ULA authority

Nearly a year after a man died in the custody of United League of Arakan (ULA) authorities in Gankyar village, Pauktaw Township, the case remains unresolved, frustrating relatives who say the investigation has dragged on with no sign of a verdict.On May 3, 2024, village administrator Kyaw Than and ULA street administrators Than Htun Aung and Htun Aye Ngwe, detained and bound 32-year-old Thein Htun Hlaing, accusing him of causing a disturbance.The next morning, villagers saw the officials loading his body onto a boat, revealing he had died in their custody, his brother, Than Htun Hlaing told Myanmar Now. "The administrators left the area to dispose of the body, but ran out of fuel, so they stopped at Thap Yay Kan village to refuel,” Than Htun Hlaing said.“When people saw a dead person in the motorboat and asked what happened, the administrators didn't continue and brought the body back.”The United League of Arakan is the political wing of the Arakan Army, an ethnic armed group that now controls most of Rakhine State and administers civilian affairs in 14 out of 17 townships. Its parallel governance system has expanded rapidly as junta authority collapses across Rakhine.The ULA administrators told the victim’s wife he had hanged himself, but family members say extensive bruising on his back indicates he was likely tortured to death. "He had a rope tied behind him at the administrator U Kyaw Than's house the night before he died,” Than Htun Hlaing pointed out. “But they claimed that he hanged himself with the rope at dawn, which is completely false.” Not long after the family discovered Thein Htun Hlaing was dead under strange circumstances they filed a complaint with the ULA and the Arakan Army (AA) accusing the three administrators of murder. Two defense witnesses have yet to be examined in the case, according to sources. Although Than Htun Hlaing says he understands the need for a thorough probe, he fears the delays are pushing the case toward becoming yet another unresolved killing in Rakhine. The ULA/ AA has yet to respond to the murder complaint, and the victim’s family says more than a year of twice-weekly court appearances has drained their savings. Than Htun Hlaing is urging authorities to deliver a verdict soon, saying the prolonged process has only deepened their hardship. "The main reason [for filing the case] is to prevent this from happening again in the future,” Than Htun Hlaing said. “We hope that officials gain awareness of how to treat citizens, and so that when problems arise, citizens can speak out boldly.” Bruising on the body of 32-year-old Thein Htun Hlaing following his death. His friends and family are suspicious that his passing was not a suicide, and they continue to search for justice. (Photo: Supplied)

Family waits nearly a year for verdict in custodial death under ULA authority

Relatives accuse three local administrators of killing a 32-year-old man in Pauktaw Township and say prolonged delays risk turning the case into another unresolved murder

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