Muslims detained for giving water to monks

November 7, Democratic Voice of Burma

Nine Burmese Muslims from the former capital Rangoon who supported the
monk-led protests in September have been arrested and charged with
inciting state unrest, said family members.

Myot Thant, Nyi Nyi Zaw, Myo Win, Naing Min, Htun Htun Naing, Kyaw Kyaw
Satt, Htun Myint Aung, Han Zaw Min Aung and Thaung Htut are Muslims from
the Rangoon townships of Pebedan, Tamwe, Mingalar Taung Nyunt and Bahan.

They were arrested by the Burmese authorities a few days after they handed
bottles of drinking water to protesting monks during the demonstrations at
the end of September.

A family members of one of the detainees told DVB that all nine of them
are now being held inside Pabadan police station, and their families have
only been allowed to visit them once in the last month.

"They have bruises all over their bodies and said they were beaten up
nearly every day during interrogation. They could not even eat properly,"
said the family member, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"The Pabedan police chief told us they were beaten up, not by police
officers from the station, but by the military security department
officers who are conducting their daily interrogations."

Another family member told DVB the nine were brought before Rangoon
divisional court on Monday and are now being tried on charges of provoking
public unrest in the country.