Political prisoner, freed on parole from Sittwe prison, re-arrested at prison gate

Narinjara News, November 27, 2025

A political prisoner in Sittwe prison in Rakhine State, accused of having connections to the Arakan Army (AA), was granted parole but was taken back into custody at the prison gate.

The individual being referred to is U Pyae Phyo Aung, a 40-year-old resident of Ywagyi Taung Ward in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State.

He was given parole by the military on November 25 but was immediately re-arrested at the prison entrance, as reported by a local source who spoke to Narinjara News.

“I have been informed that he was granted parole; however, he did not actually leave the facility. The ruling authority quickly apprehended him once more, initiated a new legal case, and took him into custody again. This information was provided by an individual who is close to him," the source said.

Residents have indicated that U Pyae Phyo Aung is facing a new legal case and has received a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, although specifics are still being verified.

He was first detained due to supposed links to the AA and was accused under Section 505(a), receiving a prison sentence of 3 years.

On November 26, the junta military commission announced that among the nearly 9,000 individuals who have been arrested and charged under Section 505(a), certain cases have been closed while others have resulted in releases.

In Sittwe, where the military is in charge, more and more innocent civilians are being held without justification.

Reports indicate that civilians who are able to pay the military and police are freed after their arrests, whereas those who cannot afford to do so are taken to court, incarcerated, and subject to fines.