Five political prisoners were rearrested immediately after being released from Thayarwaddy Prison in Myanmar’s Bago Region, according to local advocacy groups. The individuals had just completed their sentences and were detained again at the prison gate by junta authorities.
On October 1, a total of 30 inmates—16 political prisoners and 14 others—were released. However, six political prisoners were taken into custody again by officials from the military junta’s Ministry of Home Affairs and brought to a nearby police station. One was later released, but the other five were returned to prison.
The Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM) reports that the five are now facing new terrorism-related charges. They had originally been imprisoned under sedition and unlawful association laws.
PPNM identified four of the five detainees, including one woman, and condemned the rearrests as politically motivated. A representative from the group stated that such actions reflect the military’s ongoing repression and targeting of political opponents.
Since 2023, there have been multiple reports of former political prisoners being rearrested across Myanmar, with at least 10 individuals—including a National League for Democracy youth leader—detained again this year.
