A Maungdaw Township court in Arakan State sentenced a Muslim community leader to over 13 years, and another eight community leaders to 10 years in prison on  November 5, 2008, said a lawyer from Maungdaw on the condition of anonymity.

"The Maungdaw Township court sentenced the nine Muslim leaders on November 5 to long terms in prison on charges of illegally forming an association."

Lawyer Ko Than Tun, arrested in March 2008, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on three charges, including formation of an illegal organization and having connections with illegal organizations in exile.

Ko Kyaw Win, who was founder of the NLD branch in Maungdaw Township, along with seven Muslim community leaders, was sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of forming an illegal organization.

Burmese military junta authorities arrested 12 Muslim leaders in a raid in Maungdaw in March 2008 which found the community leaders sitting in a room together discussing some issues.

Among those arrested, nine have been sentenced to long prison terms, while three were released unconditionally. Those released are Dr. Hla Myint, Nurl Ko Bi, and Dr Anwa.