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Yangon woman who provided oxygen concentrators for free arrested as ‘terrorist’

A resident of Yangon’s Hlaing Township known locally for providing oxygen concentrators for free was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of being a member of the anti-regime resistance movement.

Khine Lwin, 40, was in her home on Butaryone Street when it was suddenly raided by junta troops at around 2pm, according to her daughter.

“Twenty plainclothes forces stormed our home and went through our things. They took all the phones and laptops in our house,” the 15-year-old daughter wrote on Facebook.

A source close to the family said that those who carried out the raid shouted that Khine Lwin was being arrested for committing murder and terrorism. 

It was unclear what charges would be laid against the mother of two, whose whereabouts since her arrest remain unknown.

The regime has stepped up its efforts to detain opponents of its rule since imposing new restrictions in June on the pretext of containing the spread of Covid-19.

The third wave of the pandemic has claimed thousands of lives in the country so far, mainly due to shortages of medical oxygen supplies.

On Sunday, well-known political commentator Sithu Aung Myint was arrested in a Yangon apartment during a nightly check of registered guest lists.  

His lawyer and family members said they have had no contact with him since he was taken to an interrogation centre immediately after his arrest.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), at least 5,759 people have been arrested, charged or sentenced by the regime since it seized power on February 1.

As of August 19, the junta has also killed at least 1,007 people, according to AAPP figures.

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