Tuesday 8 April 2008

UN Worker Among Arrested in Maungdaw

Narinja News

April 7, 2008 - Maungdaw: A local UN worker was among those arrested recently in a roundup of several Muslim community leaders in the western Burmese border town of Maungdaw, and he is currently being interrogated by military authorities along with nine other Muslim detainees.

The UN worker has been identified as Mr. Nurul kawbi, a driver for the UN office in Maungdaw.

A source close to the army authority said that he was arrested by the Burmese military authorities on accusations of leaking information to sources abroad and to the UN office in Maungdaw whenever human rights violations took place in Maungdaw Township.

Burmese military intelligence recently arrested at least ten Muslim community leaders in Maungdaw, including some well-known and well-educated individuals.

Officials have not disclosed any information about the arrests, but there are many rumors that the Muslim community leaders were preparing to oppose the upcoming referendum.

However, it is unclear if the arrest of Mr. Nurul is related to the arrest of the other men.

A resident from Maungdaw said Mr. Nurul Kawbi and the others will be charged by the military authority in Maungdaw district court and sentenced to long prison terms due to suspicion of anti-government activities.

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