Nine Kaman Muslims Receive Long Term Imprisonment For Self Defense During Attacks By Rakhine Extremists

RB News 

December 16, 2014

Thandwe, Arakan – Nine ethnic Kaman Muslims from Thandwe Township in Arakan State received long term prison sentences with hard labour for self-defense during attacks by Rakhine extremists in October 2013. 

During President Thein Sein’s visit to Arakan State, which included Thandwe Township, in the first week of October 2013, many Kaman Muslims villages in Thandwe Township were attacked by Rakhine extremists and monks. The Muslim villages and villagers were terrorized and many houses were burned to ashes. Reportedly a few Kaman Muslims killed. 

During the attacks that started on September 28, 2013, 5 Kaman Muslims were mercilessly killed and one died of a heart attack. About 800 Kaman Muslims became homeless, 52 houses were destroyed, 114 houses were burnt down. Ten chicken farms and two rich mills were also destroyed along with three mosques and two Islamic schools destroyed in the violence. 

Reportedly ten Kaman Muslims from Linn Thi village were arrested in the first of October 2013 for self-defense when the Rakhine mobs arrived and attacked their village. Today on December 16, 2014, the court in Thandwe Township sentenced them and one woman was released as she received one year imprisonment and as she has been arrested since last year, she was set free today with time already served. 

The remaining nine Kaman Muslims were sentenced to long term imprisonment as follows: 

30 years long term imprisonment with hard labour – 

(1) Khin Maung Lwin s/o Ismail (Age 40) 

(2) Tin Hlaing Soe s/o Thet Hlaing (Age 36) 

(3) Hla Myint (a.k.a) Ko Com s/o Hmaing Gyi (Age 55) 

10 years long term imprisonment with hard labour – 

(1) Zaw Min Tun (a.k.a) Naing Zin s/o Ba Thet (Age 35) 

7 years long term imprisonment with hard labour – 

(1) Kyaw Thu Linn (a.k.a) Maung Linn s/o Maung Nu (Age 38) 

(2) Tin Shwe s/o Shwe Hla (Age 40) 

(3) Ye Htut Aung (a.k.a) Sayar Lay s/o Myint Aung (Age 30) 

(4) Aung Thein (a.k.a) Tin Myint s/o Nga Chait Kay (Age 50) 

3 years long term imprisonment with hard labour – 

(1) Tin Naung Tun s/o Tin Thein (Age 37)