BUTHIDAUNG, Arakan State — The Arakan Army (AA) released 63 detainees from Buthidaung prison on April 17, but testimonies from those freed and eyewitness accounts reveal that many endured brutal torture during their detention.
According to a statement from one of the released individuals, the group includes 47 Rohingya and 20 Rakhine detainees. Among those freed is Jamal, a former village administrator from Ka Yin Tan village in Maungdaw Township.
Survivors and witnesses describe the condition of the released prisoners as extremely serious. Many show clear and visible signs of severe torture. Their physical state reflects prolonged abuse, with several individuals now unable to move properly due to the injuries they suffered.
Of the 47 Rohingya detainees, 34 are from Buthidaung Township and 13 from Maungdaw Township. Reports confirm that many of them were subjected to harsh and violent treatment, leaving lasting physical and mental impact.
Eyewitnesses report that some of the released prisoners cannot walk and require assistance to move. Many have lost significant weight and appear severely weakened. Their bodies bear visible signs of abuse, and their overall condition has changed so drastically that even close family members and villagers struggle to recognize them.
Survivors state that the torture was not minor or isolated, but brutal and sustained. The condition of those released stands as direct evidence of what they endured while in detention.
Although the AA has announced the release of these detainees, accounts from survivors indicate they were freed only after suffering life-threatening conditions. Many are now left physically disabled and mentally affected, requiring urgent medical treatment and humanitarian support.
The release has raised serious concerns about the treatment of detainees held under the control of the Arakan Army, as the condition of the survivors continues to reflect the severity of the abuse they faced.
