U Aung Kyaw Nyunt, senior Attorney at the Maung Taw District Court told Mizzima that 29 Bengalis have been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for their role in the June 2012 riots in Maung Taw Township.
U Win Myaing, Information Secretary from Rakhine State Government Council confirmed the Maung Taw District Court's sentence to Mizzima.
“It is true that 29 Bengalis have been sentenced. The courts in each townships are now taking charge of all the cases related to the riots”, said U Win Myaing.
U Aung Kyaw Nyunt said that the 29 convicted Bengalis have been proven guilty of torching Ward No. (4) in Maung Taw Township.
In August, 56 Bengalis were sentenced to 7 years imprisonment at Maung Taw Township court. According to state government records, out of the 56 convicted Bengalis, 7 had torched the Kan Thar (Middle) village in Maung Taw Township. Another 7 were involved in torching the Mawrawaddy (Na-Ta-La) health care center and 26 set a primary school on fire. One of them was found guilty of burning a private video center.
“Some of the cases are taking longer and could not be closed due to lack of evidence”, said U Win Myaing.
Attorney U Aung Kyaw Nyunt added that there are over 250 arrested suspects who are yet to be charged in Maung Taw Township alone.
U Hla Thein, Advocate General of Rakhine state said that 872 people were arrested during the curfew which was announced immediately after riots broke out in Rakhine state.
