Rohingya Village Administrator Dies in Arakan Army Custody, Family Denied His Body

Arakan Now | August 28, 2025

A Rohingya village administrator from Buthidaung township has died in the custody of the Arakan Army (AA), residents told Arakan Now.

Mohammed Miya, 48, from Ywar Mar village, Buthidaung township, was abducted by the AA after it seized control of the township in May 2024, accused of supporting Myanmar’s military. Villagers said he was tortured during detention and died on August 26, 2025.

Family members were called in by the AA days before and shown his body, but their request to bury him was rejected.

“He was a sincere and polite man, with no ties to the military or any group,” a resident told Arakan Now. Miya had served for years as a village administrator.

Local people say the AA has detained several Rohingya youths, teachers and elders since taking control of Buthidaung township.