An Arakan Army (AA) military tribunal on Thursday sentenced two of its soldiers to 20 years in prison with hard labour plus flogging for raping a Muslim woman from Buthidaung Township, according to AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha.
The AA formed a court martial and carried out an investigation following a complaint from the victim. The two AA members were convicted of raping the 30-year-old woman at her home in Kyaung Taung Village-tract at gunpoint on October 1.
The two members confessed to raping the woman after drinking alcohol without permission, and the ruling was handed down in the presence of the victim’s relatives, and village and faith leaders, said U Khaing Thukha.
“Firstly, they committed rape,” said the AA spokesman. “Secondly, they breached the code of conduct about dealing with the public. Thirdly, their acts damaged the reputation of the AA. Honestly speaking, they violated the fundamental disciplinary rule of the military. That’s why we sentenced them to 20 years in prison and 30 lashes.”
He added: “The AA will forgive no one who commits such crimes, regardless of race or religion. It is an unforgivable sin to commit crimes against civilians by using the weapons given to them to protect the people.”
On behalf of the AA chief, local commanders have extended apologies in person to the victim and her family, U Khaing Thukha said.
“The victim’s family is satisfied with the ruling,” the AA official told DMG.
One of the two privates who raped the Muslim woman joined the AA in 2019, and the other joined the following year.
