According to a relative of one of the accused, during the rushed trial there wasn't a proper inquiry – they weren't asked any questions. None of the men were allowed to acquire legal representation nor were their families allowed to attend the proceedings of the kangaroo court, or visit them when they were being detained by police prior to the trial. "The verdict was totally prejudiced,” said the relative.

Nasaka (border security force) arrested the men and 3 other Muslims from Zeydi Pyin and Hati Para of Loung Don village tracts in northern Maungdaw on June 8, 2012. Three were later released. Eleven were detained until the trial.

Over 100,000 were displaced by the sectarian violence between Rohingya Muslims and Arakanese Buddhists in June and October. The UN has estimated that the majority of those displaced were Muslims. Many Rohingyas are still living in camps or restricted to their homes by state authorities.