Chairman of the KNU Brigade 4th, Myeik-Dawei District, Ledo Soe was arrested 4 days ago but has not yet been released by the security forces of the State Administration Council (SAC).
At around 12 noon on September 9, SAC’s security forces stopped a pickup truck, driving from Metta to Dawei, Tanintharyi Division. In the vehicle was Chairman Ledo Soe and one of his office staff. Both were arrested for possession of illegal weapons, according to a source close to the 4th Brigade.
Despite KNU flags on the vehicle, the sources said, the Chairman “…was arrested when security forces found weapons. The liaison office said he had not been released.” Both were detailed at the Pakari Police Station.
SAC security forces claim they found two 9mm pistols, a P22 pistol, and 200 rounds of ammunition. SAC officials claim the seized weapons and ammunition were going to be sold to the People’s Defence Force.
Two days before the arrests, four small-scale clashes broke out between the KNU-PDF joint forces and the SAC forces in the 4th Brigade area.
The Karen National Union (KNU) is the largest ethnic armed group and signatory to the National Ceasefire Agreement.
