By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/mass-graves-found Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Mass graves in Malaysia might hold remains of smuggled migrants World May 25, 2015 2:43 PM EDT Police in Malaysia said Monday that more than 139 graves were found near the border with Thailand, and they suspect the graves contain the remains of migrants who were staying in camps run by smugglers. The graves were in Perlis state in northern Malaysia, not far from other graves containing 30 bodies that Thai authorities discovered in May. Thousands of people have arrived in Thailand and Malaysia by boat in recent weeks. The authorities said they believe the most recently discovered bodies were of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis seeking work in Malaysia. Some of the bodies showed signs of torture. Researchers said smugglers often hold the migrants in camps as they demand further payment from other family members, sometimes beating them to increase the pressure, reported the New York Times. It can cost an additional $1,200 to $1,800 before the migrants are released from the camps, past Reuters investigations found. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
Police in Malaysia said Monday that more than 139 graves were found near the border with Thailand, and they suspect the graves contain the remains of migrants who were staying in camps run by smugglers. The graves were in Perlis state in northern Malaysia, not far from other graves containing 30 bodies that Thai authorities discovered in May. Thousands of people have arrived in Thailand and Malaysia by boat in recent weeks. The authorities said they believe the most recently discovered bodies were of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis seeking work in Malaysia. Some of the bodies showed signs of torture. Researchers said smugglers often hold the migrants in camps as they demand further payment from other family members, sometimes beating them to increase the pressure, reported the New York Times. It can cost an additional $1,200 to $1,800 before the migrants are released from the camps, past Reuters investigations found. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now