15 Rohingyas jailed for attempt to flee country

Their sentence came fast because they travelled without any proof of identity or travel documents, says an officer

TBS Report

07 March, 2020, 05:20 pm

Last modified: 07 March, 2020, 05:27 pm

Myanmar police officers escort the convicted Rohingya to a police van following their sentencing at a courthouse in Minhla township, central Myanmar's Magway region, March 6, 2020. RFA video screenshot

A court in Myanmar's Magway area sentenced 15 Rohingyas to two years in jail on Friday for attempting to flee the country without proper papers.

Minhla town authorities arrested 15 adults, who were sentenced under Section 6(3) of Myanmar's Immigration Act and sent to Thayet Prison promptly, reported RFA.

A six-year-old Rohingya child was also apprehended, who was later on sent to Magway Child Care Centre managed by the area's social welfare department.

"Their sentence came fast because they travelled without any proof of identity or travel documents," said Minhla township immigration officer Aung Pyi Soe who testified at the hearings.

"We didn't need much evidence to convict them," the officer added.

More than 200 Rohingya have been charged under the same act during the past three years.

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.