Police extorted money from the owners of a room that rents out space to watch DVD movies in northern Maungdaw on Sept. 21, according to a close friend of one of the victims that spoke with Kaladanpress on condition of anonymity. The three men were under arrest until they each paid bribes of 65,000 Kyat.
According to the villagers, the owners got already gotten permission from appropriate authorities.
A police aide that didn’t want their name used confirmed with Kaladanpress that the arrests took place despite the men worked without breaking any laws or charged with any crime.
The state authorities have refused to condemn the officers’ illegal actions, said a village elder who didn’t want their name used.
The victims have been identified as: Mohamed Amin, 20; son of Mohamed Hussain, Faisal, 23; son of Mohamed Khorim, and Mohamed Khaled 25; son of Mohamed Ali, all from Wuf Pyin village in Powet Chaung Village Tract, Maungdaw Township.
