The United League of Arakan (ULA) issued a statement on October 20 that two privates from Arakan Army (AA) who raped a married woman, were sentenced to 20 years in prison and 30 lashes.

ULA formed a military tribunal to investigate a complaint that a 30-year-old married woman was raped in her home in Kyaungtaung Village in Buthidaung Township in Rakhine State, by two privates from AA, while they were threatening her with weapons according to the statement.

AA's military tribunal questioned and investigated the two accused privates, the victims' family members and witnesses from the nearby areas during the 10-day hearing. The two accused admitted they had drunk without permission and raped the woman on that day. They were both found guilty

They were also found to have violated AA’s special military regulations.

Accordingly, the two perpetrators were sentenced to 20 years in prison and 30 lashes on October 20 in accordance with AA's military regulations.The final verdict was read and announced in front of the family members of the victims, some village elders and religious leaders.

AA said that the Government of Arakan People is working to achieve justice for the Rakhine public by upholding the slogan "Justice must prevail in Arakan". AA also informed the Rakhine people that any person who commits a crime will be taken in accordance with the laws, regardless of race or religion.

edited TF