Cases against scores of Rohingya Muslims detained after fleeing Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state have been dropped, as fears grow of a potential coronavirus outbreak in the country’s overcrowded prisons.
But in recent months hundreds have been caught and detained in prisons — charged with breaching immigration laws, offenses which carry up to two years in jail.
“Charges against both adults and children are withdrawn and they are to be released,” judge Khin Myat Myat Htun told Pathein court in Ayeyarwady Region. Scores more are set to be released by other courts and sent back to Rakhine, a Rohingya activist told AFP. It is unclear where the Rohingya will be taken in Rakhine and authorities have not yet given the reason for their sudden liberation.Next week is Myanmar’s New Year, however, when the president often grants amnesties to prisoners.
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