Local Man Dies in Custody After Arrest for Driving Without a License in Thaton

June 16, 2025

June 15, 2025 – Thaton Township, Mon State

HURFOM: A 50-year-old man from Thaton Township, U Win Zaw, tragically died in custody just five days after being arrested by junta authorities for driving a motorcycle without a license. He was a resident of Oat Kyin Ward and was stopped on June 5 while operating a motorcycle with a sidecar in downtown Thaton.

Following his arrest, U Win Zaw was charged under Section 8 of the Import and Export Law and detained at Thaton’s Zay Ma Thwel prison.

Authorities later informed his family that he had passed away on June 9 while still in detention, citing cerebral infarction (stroke) as the cause of death. However, doubts and concerns have emerged within the community regarding the true circumstances behind his sudden passing.

“When the family received his body, they noticed an incision on his scalp, which authorities explained was from a hospital autopsy,” said a local source close to the family. “There weren’t any visible bruises, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. The police handed over 200,000 kyats as compensation to the family.”

While U Win Zaw reportedly struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, the timing of his death has raised suspicions. Some news agencies have suggested that he may have been subjected to torture during his detention.

This case marks the first known instance in Mon State of someone dying in custody following an arrest related to the junta’s ongoing crackdown on unlicensed vehicles. The incident has sparked fear and concern among locals, who worry about the broader pattern of arbitrary arrests and mistreatment under military rule.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News