An activist of Aung San Suu Kyi‘s political party has been killed in Rakhine state.
The incident took place after planning a show of support for the leader’s recent defence of Myanmar against genocide allegations at The Hague, Aljazeera reported.
The National League for Democracy’s (NLD) Ye Thein, party chairman in Buthidaung township, had been held for weeks by the Arakan Army, an armed group fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, the spokesman said on Thursday.
Rebels in Myanmar’s Rakhine region said Thein died on Monday, two weeks after being taken for organising protests against the accusations of committing genocide faced by Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.
“Due to big explosions, some detainees died and some were wounded. The NLD chairman from Buthidaung, Ye Thein, died on scene,” the Arakan Army said in the statement.
“We, all members of NLD, are very sorry for the loss,” Myo Nyunt told AFP. “His gathering to support her was righteous and it was not a crime.”
The Arakan Army has carried out a series of daring kidnappings, bombings and raids against the army and local officials in Rakhine state.