Several Arakanese Buddhists arrested by police after sectarian violence erupted in Arakan state last October have been freed by authorities, said a senior lawyer in Sittwe.
“Four people from Mrauk U Township were set free from Sittwe prison on March 29 after being found not guilty for last year’s violence…The judge from Sittwe District Court passed a verdict that they were not guilty after hearing their cases several days. We are happy for them…The other 13 remain in prison, and will be tried.”
All of the suspects were brought to the Sittwe prison following an attack on the Putin Gon Muslim village. During the attack, 5 Arakanese were killed and 10 wounded after the army opened fire on a crowd of Arakanese. Ko Moe Kyaw from Balu village was one of the men killed during the incident.
Three of the four people that were released returned home to a hero’s welcome from crowds of locals gathering near the ship yard where they arrived.
They have been identified as: U Hla Saw Aung and U Tun Kyaw; both from Kyat Zay ward, and Maung Tin Win from Purin Gon village.
Another person released, U San Thein Kyaw from Purin Gon village, is receiving medical treatment at hospital due to health conditions resulting from being incarcerated for nearly 6 months.
