Charges have been brought against three people accused of involvement in a fabricated rape claim that sparked three days of communal rioting in Mandalay early this month, a senior Home Affairs Ministry official told Mizzima in Nay Pyi Taw on July 23.
The official said among those charged was Ma Phyu Phyu Min, who alleged she had been raped in a report lodged on June 28 at the township police station in Pyinmana, about 130 miles (200 kilometres) south of Mandalay.
Also charged were Ma Nu Nu Myat as well as a suspect still being sought by police, U Thura Ye Htut, who are alleged to have paid Ma Phyu Phyu Min to fabricate the rape claim, the official said.
The suspects had been charged with knowingly providing false information to a public servant, abetment of mischief by fire with the intent to destroy property and abetment of rioting, the official said, adding that police had taken advice from the Supreme Court about the charges.
The case would open in the Pyinmana Township Court next week, the official said.
The violence in Myanmar's second-biggest city erupted on July 1 after social media published claims that a woman had been raped by two Muslim brothers who owned a tea shop.
In the ensuing three days of violence, which resulted in a curfew being imposed in Mandalay, two men ? a Buddhist and a Muslim ? were killed, more than 20 people were wounded and buildings and cars were destroyed or damaged.
The state-controlled New Light of Myanmar reported on July 20 that a woman had admitted to police that she was paid to fabricate the rape claim by two people "who apparently had a personal dispute with the tea shop owners".
