Ngaputaw Court Sentences 60 Rohingya To 5 Years
By Network Media Group
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
A township court in Ngaputaw has sentenced 62 Rohingya arrested at sea near Haigyi Kyun Island in early May to 5 years in prison. 50 males and 12 females were convicted of violating Article 63 of Burma’s immigration law.
“They couldn’t defend themselves in court,” explained an anonymous lawyer, describing the sentencing as harsh.
They were on their way to Malaysia to look for work when they were intercepted by the Burmese navy in the Irrawaddy Region. According to the lawyer, they were born in Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Sittwe in Rakhine State and although they’re from Burma, their citizenship was revoked. Minors whose parents are from the country are also stateless, the source explained.
An anonymous man working with a local Muslim volunteer team said 8 minors were also arrested and will be taken to a juvenile detention centre. The judge has no mercy for these children, he said.
“The navy confiscated the Rohingya’s phones and some of their money when they were arrested, and hasn’t returned them,” he said, explaining they must give these items to a local Mosque or another Muslim organisation as they have done before to buy the prisoners healthy food since the prison won’t do it.
On 19 April, the military arrested over 70 Rohinyga in a boat near Ngayok Kawng in the township. A court sentenced them to two years for violation immigration laws.
