A souvenir vendor from Mandalay was detained by the junta last month under an anti-terror law after she wired 300,000 kyat ($166) to a member of a local People’s Defence Force (PDF), a friend of her family has said.
Twenty-nine-year-old Zin Myo Thu, who also goes by the name Nyo Chaw and owns a shop on Mandalay Hill, was detained at her home in Aung Myay Tharzan Township on February 14 after 10 junta personnel arrived in two cars.
She was among 10 men and women arrested for being members of the Kyaukse PDF, according to a statement published in military-controlled media on March 2. The statement accused Zin Myo Thu of supplying the group with weapons. She was charged under Section 50j of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
But Zin Myo Thu did not knowingly support the PDF, according to the family friend.
“It was me who asked her to transfer the money to my friend,” he told Myanmar Now. “She didn’t even know what it was for. The military was actually looking for me. They arrested her because they thought she was the only one who knew my whereabouts. She’s innocent.”
Another person familiar with the case said Zin Myo Thu was being held at a police station and the junta is planning to file more charges against her.
“I heard that she is currently being held at a police station and that she is in good health,” said the source, who is a Mandalay local. “However I was told that she was beaten a bit too.”
A friend of Zin Myo Thu’s said the junta’s accusation was “nonsensical”.
“She sells rosary beads online, she was framed. This is just unfair,” said the friend. “The military council’s statement is nonsensical.”
Calls to Police Station No. (2) in Aungmyethazan seeking comment on the case went unanswered, as did calls to junta officials.
