Three Muslim leaders of 12 who were arrested by Burmese military junta authorities in March last year were released on bail on Thursday in the border town of Maungdaw, said a close friend of the three.

"They were released yesterday from Maungdaw jail, but the release is on bail," he said.

The released leaders were identified as Dr. Hla Myint, Dr. Anna Wa, and Nokur Bi, who was a UNHCR driver. All are residents of Maungdaw.

They were arrested by Sarafa, the Burmese military intelligence unit on March 30, 2007 along with nine other Muslim leaders in Maungdaw on accusations that they had formed an organization without government permission.

The Maungdaw police charged them under Section 17 (1) and 17 (2), for illegal formation of an organization.

The other nine Muslim leaders, including lawyer U Than Tun and Dr. Tun Aung, remain in prison and are expected to be sentenced to prison terms by the authorities.