13 Released Prisoners From Sittwe Rearrested at Gate and Sentenced to 10 More Years

Hnin Nwe Ni

Narinjara, October 7, 2026

Thirteen individuals who completed their prison sentences and were released from the Sittwe correctional facility were immediately rearrested at the prison gate and handed new 10-year sentences under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law.

According to a source close to the situation, the group had just finished serving three-year sentences under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

They were released on October 1, but police were already waiting for them at the gate. Officers immediately took them into custody and transferred them to Sittwe No. 1 Police Station.

"Thirteen people were released on the 1st," the source told Narinjara. "As soon as they stepped outside, the police rearrested them and took them straight to Station No. 1."

The group includes residents from various areas across the region, including the Byaing Phyu, Nazi, Kon Tan, and Min Gan villages in Sittwe, as well as several wards in Rathedaung town and Kyauk Tan village.

The legal process moved swiftly following their re-detention.

The source added that the individuals were brought to court the next day, Friday, October 2, to face the new counter-terrorism charges. Following a weekend recess, the court reconvened on Monday, October 5, and summarily sentenced each person to 10 years in prison.