Three Charged with Human Trafficking After Attempted Sale of Policeman

Three men accused of abducting a policeman and attempting to sell him as a fisherman in Mon State have been charged under Myanmar’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law and four sections of the Penal Code.

The incident occurred on 19 June when Constable Zaw Win Htun, who was assigned to security duties at the Mon State Hluttaw, was visiting Naga Mauk Pagoda in Mawlamyine. While sitting alone, he was approached by three men who ordered him to accompany them. After identifying himself as a policeman and refusing, one of the suspects, claiming to be a major, allegedly assaulted him and forcibly took him away.

The policeman was transported by motorcycle to Kyaikkhami in Thanbyuzayat Township and taken to the home of a fishing labour broker. The suspects then allegedly attempted to obtain an advance payment of Ks1.2 million for him.

The broker became suspicious and directed the officer to Kyaikkhami Police Station, where he reported the incident. Police later arrested three suspects and seized two motorcycles and an identification card allegedly linked to a military recruitment office. Authorities are verifying whether the card is genuine.

The suspects — Tin Than, 51, Tin Min Htut, 46, and Phyo Ko Ko, 38, all from Mawlamyine — have been charged under Sections 170, 332, 342 and 114 of the Penal Code, as well as Sections 36 and 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law. The investigation is ongoing.