Five of 99 Muslims arrested in Yangon are coronavirus-positive; brokers charged

By Myo Thiri Kyaw 09 Jan 2021

Myo Thiri Kyaw | DMG
9 January 2021, Sittwe 

Five out of 99 Muslims being detained at a facility on the University of Computer Studies campus in Yangon Region’s Shwepyithar Township tested positive for COVID-19, according to U Yan Aung Min, a Yangon Region lawmaker. 

The five Muslim women have not shown any symptoms and were isolated in a separate room at the university after testing positive for the virus. 

“The COVID-19 positive patients will be sent to a treatment centre. We are waiting for instructions from the Department of Public Health on which treatment centre to send them to. They are now separated from each other,” U Yan Aung Min told DMG. 

He said he was worried that the five may have been infected with a new strain of the virus because they did not exhibit any of the typical symptoms of COVID-19. 

Charges have been brought against six people who allegedly transported the Muslims from Arakan State to Yangon under Sections 367 and 370 of the Penal Code, Police Captain Tin Maung Lwin, head of the Shwepyithar Myoma police station, told DMG.  

Section 367 covers kidnapping/abduction and Section 370 covers human trafficking. They carry with them maximum penalties of 10 and seven years’ imprisonment, respectively. 

“Six brokers are facing legal charges because their activities amount to recruiting people to send them abroad illegally. Four of them have been arrested and the other two are still at large. The duo are perpetrators behind the scenes. We are working to arrest them also,” he said. 

Three officers from the Shwepyithar Myoma police station who had close contact with the Muslims are also under quarantine, Police Captain Tin Maung Lwin said. 

The 99 Muslims — 26 men and 73 women — were arrested on January 6 in Shwepyithar Township. 

They are reportedly from Mrauk-U Township and illegally entered Yangon Region via Ann Township. Their ultimate destination was Malaysia, where they were to be sent as migrant labourers.