Two local administrators sentenced in killing of civilian in AA-controlled township

A court operating under the control of the political wing of the Arakan Army (AA) has sentenced two local administrators to 10 years in prison for the killing of a man in Rakhine State’s Pauktaw Township. The Minbya District Court, which reached its verdict on December 31, also cleared a third defendant of all charges in the case, which dates back to May 3, 2024. Than Htun Aung and Htun Aye Ngwe, both 10-household administrators from the village of Gan Kyar in Pauktaw Township, were found criminally liable in the death of Thein Htun Hlaing, 32, a local resident who died after being placed in wooden stocks for causing a public disturbance. The victim’s family pressed charges against the two men, as well as village administrator Kyaw Than, after they were seen loading his body onto a boat a day after Thein Htun Hlaing’s arrest, his brother Than Htun Hlaing told Myanmar Now. All three of the defendants had been appointed by the United League of Arakan (ULA), which administers AA-controlled areas of Rakhine State. Than Htun Hlaing, 32, who died in custody (Photo: Supplied) Than Htun Hlaing expressed dismay over the release of the village administrator, saying he shared responsibility for his younger brother’s death in custody. “I cannot understand why they released the administrator, U Kyaw Than. My brother died a brutal death while he was detained and held in stocks under the administrator’s authority,” he said, adding that the family plans to appeal to the decision. Myanmar Now reached out to AA information officer Khaing Thukha last week for comment, but at the time of reporting had still not received a response. The AA controls 14 of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa Township in Chin State. The ULA manages all administrative functions, including law enforcement and the judiciary, in these areas. On November 7, 2025, the ULA-controlled judiciary released 16 prisoners held in Mrauk-U District as part of an amnesty to mark the 47th birthday of AA commander-in-chief Twan Mrat Naing. Additionally, 82 prisoners of war, including members of the junta army, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, captured in 2024 were released that day, according to Rakhine-based news outlets.

Two local administrators sentenced in killing of civilian in AA-controlled township

The victim’s family expresses dissatisfaction with a decision to drop charges against a third defendant

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