39 northern Myanmar telecom fraud gang members are prosecuted by China
On Monday (Dec. 30), 39 members of big criminal groups based in northern Myanmar were charged in China with telecom fraud and other crimes against Chinese civilians.
The suspects, who include Mg Myin Shaunt Phyin and Ma Thiri Maung, are being charged with fraud, murder, injury, illegal detention, running casinos, drug dealing, and setting up prostitution.
A court in Wenzhou, a coastal city in Zhejiang Province in eastern China, heard the case.
The prosecutors in Wenzhou said that 16 of the suspects in the international crime case are Myanmar citizens.
Additionally, procuratorates in Wenzhou and other Chinese cities are currently investigating thousands of additional individuals they believe to be associated with criminal groups.
There have been over 10,000 confirmed cases of telecom fraud involving these suspects. The scam cost billions of yuan and killed several Chinese citizens.
Chinese prosecutors stressed that the case shows how committed China is to protecting the country’s and its people’s legal rights and interests.
“These crimes took place partially within Chinese borders, specifically targeted Chinese citizens, and jeopardised the shared interests of the international community, thus granting China jurisdiction under its criminal law and international treaties,” said the prosecutor who handled the case.
Together, Chinese and Burmese police did investigations on the scene, gathered evidence, talked to witnesses, arrested criminal suspects, and sent them to different police stations.
Chinese prosecutors stated that they are closely monitoring compliance with the Criminal Procedure Law of China and the guidelines for obtaining evidence from foreign countries to ensure legality.
The prosecutors said they would protect the Burmese defendants’ legal rights by telling them what those rights were during the court procedures, helping them find defence lawyers, and giving them legal help. They guaranteed consular security and made translators available. – Xinhua