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Jail terms for Muslim-Buddhist violence in Burma's Meiktila | Jail terms for Muslim-Buddhist violence in Burma's Meiktila |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A court in Burma has sentenced 23 people to prison terms for their role in violence between Buddhists and Muslims. | A court in Burma has sentenced 23 people to prison terms for their role in violence between Buddhists and Muslims. |
At least 40 people were killed in the violence in the central town of Meiktila, including pupils massacred at an Islamic boarding school. | At least 40 people were killed in the violence in the central town of Meiktila, including pupils massacred at an Islamic boarding school. |
Twelve mosques were damaged during the attacks. | |
The violence spread to central regions in March after breaking out in western Rakhine state in 2012. | The violence spread to central regions in March after breaking out in western Rakhine state in 2012. |
The 23 men convicted in the latest case were charged with murder, assault and arson. | The 23 men convicted in the latest case were charged with murder, assault and arson. |
Gangs of young men, armed with sticks and machetes, rampaged through the streets of Meiktila on 20 and 21 March. | Gangs of young men, armed with sticks and machetes, rampaged through the streets of Meiktila on 20 and 21 March. |
Their attacks followed a violent incident at a Muslim-owned gold shop in the town. | Their attacks followed a violent incident at a Muslim-owned gold shop in the town. |
Muslim bodies | Muslim bodies |
At least 10 Muslims have already been sentenced for their role in the violence, including the killing of a Buddhist monk. | At least 10 Muslims have already been sentenced for their role in the violence, including the killing of a Buddhist monk. |
Officials have not made clear how many Muslims were convicted during the latest trial, but local newspaper reports say the majority of those arrested have been Buddhists. | Officials have not made clear how many Muslims were convicted during the latest trial, but local newspaper reports say the majority of those arrested have been Buddhists. |
The police have been accused by Muslims of failing to defend them in many of the attacks, which later spread closer to the country's former capital, Rangoon. | The police have been accused by Muslims of failing to defend them in many of the attacks, which later spread closer to the country's former capital, Rangoon. |
Some Muslim countries have called on the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to do more to defend Muslims in Burma, which is also known as Myanmar. | Some Muslim countries have called on the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to do more to defend Muslims in Burma, which is also known as Myanmar. |
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said that Burma was having a honeymoon with the world at the moment, following political reform and an economic opening, but it said the honeymoon was built on the bodies of Muslim victims. | Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said that Burma was having a honeymoon with the world at the moment, following political reform and an economic opening, but it said the honeymoon was built on the bodies of Muslim victims. |
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