Suspects arrested in murder of monk at Sandakuminaik Yeiktha Monastery

The Myanmar Police Force has announced the arrest of suspects in the murder of monk U Panyawuntha (aka Dr. Phay Nyan), who was residing at Sandakuminaik Yeiktha Monastery in Hmawbi Township, Yangon Region. The monk was found dead with stab wounds in a building at the monastery around noon on July 2nd. As two of the monk's mobile phones were reported missing, a case was opened at the Hmawbi Myoma Police Station, and a special investigation team was formed to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. It has been learned that the special investigation team, which included security force members, arrested Thet Paing Win (aka Paing Lay) from Kala Gyi Kun village in Hmawbi Township, who was involved in the crime, at his home around noon on July 11th. According to the interrogation of the arrested individual, Soe Yarzar (aka Soe Win Kyaw) and Wai Yan Naing (aka Wai Yan) from Kala Gyi Kun village, and Toe Win Kyaw (aka Toe Wai Kyaw) from Hlaing Thar Yar (West) Township, who collaborated in the crime, were arrested on the evening of July 11th, according to the statement. Furthermore, it was learned that Soe Htet (aka AK T), who was still at large, was additionally arrested on July 12th near the Nga Pin Lay market in Taungoo Township. According to the interrogation of the arrested individuals, they were masons working in Kala Gyi Kun village, Hmawbi Township, and confessed to entering Sandakuminaik Yeiktha Monastery around 10 PM on July 1st to commit theft due to financial hardship. Upon entering the building, they found the monk sitting on the bed. As the monk saw them, they stabbed him with a dagger they had brought and a stainless steel knife found in the building, and then divided and took two of the monk's mobile phones and 500,000 kyats in cash. The statement indicated that further actions are being taken to ensure that the five arrested individuals are effectively prosecuted according to the law.