Sources in Malaysia said that around 86 Chin refugees detained in Lenggeng Camp, Selangor State, Malaysia since July 30 will be produced in court on Tuesday and Wednesday. The arrested Chin refugees are illegal immigrants working in Selangor State.

Malaysia People’s War and the Immigration department rounded up around 120 Chin refugees on July 30 in the state. About 30 refugees holding United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) cards were later released while others were detained as illegal immigrants, sources said.

The detained Chin refugees will be repatriated to Thailand if the defendants claim not to be refugees in court and imprisoned if they claim to be refugees, Mr. San, an official from Malaysia’s Chin Refugee Committee, told Khonumthung.

“The illegal Chin Immigrants, claiming to be refugees, will be imprisoned until UNHCR recognizes them as refugees,” said Mr. San.

The Chin refugees detained are said to be from Putra Kaya Limau Maris Village in Selangor State. Some illegal immigrants reportedly managed to escape from the clutches of Malaysia’s authorities. The detained immigrants may be sentence for six months to one year in prison, said Mr. San. - KNG