TWO MYANMAR MUSLIM LEADERS ACQUITTED

Two Myanmar Muslim Organisation (MMO) members were acquitted on August 28. They were arrested by Maungdaw police. When Salim Ullah (U Than Htun), the Chairman of the district branch of the Organisation was hosting a meeting in an unrecognised office with some local people on March 30 and some other members were arrested from their homes on April 1 on allegation that they had connection with the meeting, he added. The acquitted are Dr. Kamal alias Dr. Hla Myint son of Md Sayed of Ward No.4 of Maungdaw town and Dr. Zahir alias Dr. Zaw Nyint, a dentist. There are two categories of members – Township and District level. The MMO is a legal organisation. The police arrested 10 prominent activists in Maungdaw, alleging that they were planning insurgent activities against the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Though no evidence was found to prove the charge but they are still in police custody awaiting trial. According to a local source, the two were acquitted because they were arrested from their home not from the meeting spot.