Former DVB reporter convicted of terrorism
A former DVB reporter working for Myaelatt Athan, a news agency covering central Burma, was sentenced to five years in prison under the Counter Terrorism Law in Myanaung Township of Ayeyarwady Region in early April. Than Htike Myint was arrested in February and convicted by a regime court in Myanaung this month and transferred to Hinthada Prison, a source close to the court told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Senior Southeast Asia Representative Shawn Crispin told DVB that it “strongly condemns” the sentencing of Than Htike Myint on terrorism charges and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. “Myanmar’s junta must stop conflating independent news reporting with terrorism and stop treating independent journalists as criminals,” said Crispin.
Hinthada and Myanaung are located 86-135 miles (138-217 km) north of the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein. Than Htike Myint began working for Myaelatt Athan last June. His previous arrest and conviction under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code for “incitement” in 2021 means that this is the second time he has been detained for his work as a journalist since the 2021 coup. He was released in 2022 during a regime amnesty.
No bids on Aung San Suu Kyi home during 4th auction attempt
Sources close to the regime-controlled Kamayut District Court told DVB that the fourth auction for jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s Yangon residence at 54 University Avenue in Bahan Township received no bids on April 29. The floor price was set at 270 billion kyats ($61.22 million USD) by the court at the request of Aung San Suu Kyi’s brother Aung San Oo. The next auction date is set for May 4.
“The auction failed because there were no bidders. We’ve only heard that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is doing well and in good health [in prison]. We can’t meet with her,” the source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The first auction for 54 University Avenue was held on March 20, 2024, at a floor price of 315 billion kyats. This means the price has been reduced by 45 billion kyats over the last year.
The lakeside villa that was once owned by Khin Kyi has been part of a legal dispute between her children Aung San Suu Kyi and Aung San Oo. The auction price has been reduced three times at the request of Aung San Oo. The National Unity Government (NUG) has designated the residence as a national cultural heritage site and has warned that legal action would be taken if the property is sold.
Thailand provides post-quake healthcare in Mandalay Region
The Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon shared on social media that it has built a mobile clinic in Kyaukse town, Mandalay Region, after it opened two other clinics in Mandalay. The Thai Army has also erected temporary shelters and repaired schools in at least four townships. Kyaukse is located 35 miles (56 km) northeast of the region’s capital Mandalay.
Thailand deployed four separate earthquake relief teams. Twenty-five officers from the Thai Army and 38 medical staff from the Ministry of Public Health arrived in Mandalay on April 26. The Malaysia Embassy in Yangon shared on April 25 that it had set up a clinic near the quake epicenter in Sagaing town of Sagaing Region. Sagaing is located 14 miles (22 km) west of Mandalay.
Both Sagaing and Mandalay, as well as Bago, Magway, Naypyidaw and southern Shan State, were the regions hardest hit by the earthquake on March 28. The death toll from the quake is 4,461 with 11,366 injured, according to DVB data. In Mandalay, at least 2,900 were killed. In Sagaing, at least 696 were killed. In Naypyidaw, at least 617 were killed. Another 248 were killed in Magway, Bago and southern Shan.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) stated on Thursday that regime attacks have killed 742 civilians and destroyed 3,031 homes from Feb. 1, 2021 coup up to April 30. It added that 1,874 attacks destroyed 57 religious buildings, 29 schools, and 17 medical facilities.
The regime in Naypyidaw announced a ceasefire on April 2, later extended to April 30, but it carried out 358 attacks during this period, according to DVB data. The resistance claims control over six towns in Karenni. Loikaw, Bawlakhe and Hpasawng are under regime control. Read more.
SAGAING—At least eight civilians were killed and more than 10 were injured by airstrikes in Kalay Township April 25-27, according to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Chin resistance forces. Kalay is located 144 miles (231 km) northwest of the region’s capital Monywa.
A spokesperson for the Chin National Army (CNA) told DVB that a column of 300 regime troops retreated from Kalay after resistance forces killed 30 of them. At least 20 monasteries and residential buildings were damaged by retaliatory airstrikes following the retreat.
SHAN—The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), the political wing of the Shan State Army (SSA), shared on social media that it will meet with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to resolve tension in northern Shan since the launch of Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.
“There have been ugly and unnecessary fighting between ground troops due to communication problems,” the SSPP stated on April 30. It added that eight “confrontations” between SSPP and MNDAA forces and 24 incidents of physical fights, which led to injuries, occurred April 28-29.
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