In Pazundaung Township, Yangon, police and administrators arrested a civilian on allegations of lottery selling and demanded 32 million kyats (approximately USD 15,000). The incident occurred on February 4th when police and administrators arrested U Maung Myint, a resident of Zi Zawa Street in Ward 8 of Pazundaung Township. Following the arrest, Township Police Chief Police Major Min Han, Station Chief Police Captain Zaw Zaw, Local Security Police Lieutenant Nyi Min Naing, Ward 7 Administrator Bo Kyaw Min, and militia member Jo Jo demanded the money from the civilian.
According to local residents, this extortion was carried out without the knowledge of Ward 8 Administrator Myo Myint, with militia member Jo Jo and Ward 7 Administrator Bo Kyaw Min collaborating with police officers to forcefully demand the money. After arresting U Maung Myint on accusations of selling lottery tickets, they demanded the payment, which was subsequently distributed among themselves. Local sources confirmed that the victim was forced to pay the demanded amount under duress.
In a similar incident in Myitkyina, Kachin State, military personnel extorted two ticals of gold (approximately 1.2 ounces) from a civilian after falsely accusing them of drug use. On March 19th, military personnel and police who were checking pedestrians near Myanmar Economic Bank street in Myitkyina stopped a motorcycle rider, accused them of drug use, physically assaulted them, and seized their gold. When the victim sought help at a nearby police station following the incident, the police ignored their complaint and took no action. This demonstrates a pattern of authorities abusing their power and extorting civilians while denying them access to justice when they attempt to report such crimes.
