Myanmar Muslim man gets 7 years in prison for attempted rape triggering Buddhist-led violence

Muslims children eat meals at their temporary refugee camp in Htan Gone village, Kantbalu township, Sagaing division, Myanmar, on Monday. 

Khin Maung Win/AP

By AssociatedPress

September 5, 2013

YANGON, Myanmar — A court has sentenced a Muslim man to seven years in prison for an attempted rape that sparked Buddhist-led riots in a northwestern Myanmar town late last month.

Myint Aung, a legal official at the Kantbalu township court, says Hsan Min Oo was found guilty and sentenced Wednesday after a speedy trial.

Myint Aung says the defendant confessed to the crime and did not ask for a defense lawyer.

The Aug. 24 violence started after a crowd surrounded a police station in Htan Gone village, demanding that Hsan Min Oo be handed over.

When officers refused, the crowd rampaged, destroying 40 Muslim-owned shops and businesses and leaving hundreds of people homeless.

Eleven Buddhists also were detained, but opposition lawmaker Myint Naing said one allegedly died in prison from diarrhea.