Three Kyaukphyu Men Re-Arrested in Jail After Presidential Pardons

Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray) — In Kyaukphyu of Rakhine state, three prisoners who were recently released under presidential amnesties have been re-arrested while still inside the jail compound.

According to a family member, they are now facing new charges that are punishable by lengthy prison terms.

The three men—U Thant Zaw Lin (45), U La Min Phyo (38), and U Tun Min Phyo (34)—all hail from Kalaba Taung Ward in Kyaukphyu Narinjara.

“The President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar granted amnesty to prisoners on April 17 and April 30, 2026, as a humanitarian gesture to appease the public. However, despite their release, they are being immediately re-arrested and re-imprisoned,” stated a family member of the detainees.

This swift re-arrest of pardoned individuals reflects a growing pattern of arbitrary detention in the region Narinjara. Families of the detainees remain deeply concerned as the exact nature of the new charges has not been fully disclosed.

Junta authorities in Kyaukpyu, Rakhine State, are illegally re-arresting and re-sentencing political prisoners and detainees who have been granted paroles or who have completed their sentences.

Although U Thant Zaw Lin, U La Min Phyo Nga, and U Tun Min Phyo were granted parole twice, the Kyaukpyu Township Police Station chief arrested them in handcuffs at the prison gates.

Acting on superior orders, authorities filed a case against them under Sections 50(N) and 52(A) at the Kyaukpyu District Court and sent them back to Kyaukpyu Prison.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to arrest and imprison those who were released on presidential pardons,” a source said. “It is obvious that the president’s pardon is being nullified because they are being arrested again,” he added, noting that their families are deeply hurt by this blatant violation of the pardon.

Under the administration of junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, three people in Kyaukpyu were granted parole, while another three were rearrested immediately after completing their sentences. In total, six individuals are reported to have been illegally detained in this manner.

Those rearrested after completing their prison terms are U Maung Mae (68) and U Mya Win (48) from the Central Ward, and U Kyaw Hla Aung from the Zedi Taung Ward. They were originally arrested by the military on charges of supporting the Arakan Army (AA). They were charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act and sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison.

Families of currently incarcerated individuals are highly concerned that other prisoners scheduled to be released from Kyaukpyu Prison will be subjected to the same illegal re-arrests and sentenced to long prison terms