Mar 9, 2009 (DVB), Rangoon's Myanmar Women Affairs’ Federation is suing a man and his wife for allegedly raping and torturing their housemaid, its members said.

Sinkngu ward’s MWAF chair reported the case to local police last October, alleging that the husband raped the housemaid. His wife, Yin Swe, is alleged to have beaten her.

"There are 52 old wounds and four new ones," said the MWAF chair. "I myself took photographs. One wound is about two inches long."

"Both of her hands have been seared with an electric iron, and her fingers are peppered with wounds caused by hitting steel spoons."

The girl was raped after she was placed under the protection of ward authorities and the local MWAF, she added.

"Local residents have been throwing stones at their house out of hatred," she said.

The accused man is being detained at Insein jail and charged with rape. His wife was released on bail.

Insein police were not available for comments.

Reporting Naw Say Phaw