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SHAN STATE – The residents of Pekhon who were tortured and imprisoned under terrorism charges by the junta council for staying behind to house-sit during the battles in 2021 were said to have been released from prison on May 10.
16 out of the 19 residents of Shwepyiaye Village, located in Pekhon Township, southern Shan State, were released from prison. Out of the remaining three, two had passed away from the torture during the interrogation, while one passed away in prison due to not receiving sufficient medical treatment.
The 19 residents were blindfolded and tied up, then dragged away along the main road of the village by junta forces at the time of their arrest and were tortured at Taunggyi Police Station No. 1, which led to the death of two of them.
The remaining 17 villagers were then sentenced to three years under Section 52(a) of the terrorism act in Taunglaylone Prison and the surviving 16 were released on May 10.
Since the military coup in 2021, the junta council has imprisoned 26,654 political prisoners, out of whom 6,220 have been released while 20,434 are still in prison, according to the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP).