Photographer Khin Aye Kyu released, cameraman Ko Sein Ohn still detained ( Burma Media Association ) July 22, 2002


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23 July 2002: IFEX/RSF Alert -

Photographer Khin Aye Kyu released, cameraman Ko Sein Ohn still detained

SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - Burmese photographer Khin Aye Kyu was recently released from prison after serving a four-year sentence for distributing unauthorized videotapes and illegally possessing video equipment.

Confirming her release, she told RSF that she was trying to resume her career as a photographer, but that her first priority was looking after her brother, Ko Sein Ohn, a cameraman who remains in prison in Mandalay and whose wife is too poor to support him. She also mentioned that photographer Khin Maung Win, also known as Sunny, is still imprisoned in difficult conditions.

Ko Sein Ohn, aged 50, was jailed for the same offence as Khin Aye Kyu, and at the same time, in 1996, but was sentenced to a longer jail term of 10 years. The military regime claimed he had made and distributed videos of a speech by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Khin Aye Kyu said his conditions of detention are poor and he suffers from stomach problems. Since her release, she has been visiting him every two months and supporting both herself and her brother by selling lottery tickets in the street.

Khin Aye Kyu did cover Aung San Suu Kyi's recent visit to a Rangoon suburb. Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in May. "I want to resume my work as a photographer and camera operator," the photographer explained, "but it is expensive and I do not have any clients yet."

RSF has called for the release of Ko Sein Ohn and at least 15 other media workers who are currently imprisoned in Burma.

The organisation has also learned that the authorities at Myitkyina prison, in northern Burma, recently lifted their two-month-old ban on visits to journalist and elected Member of Parliament Sein Hla Oo. Despite the long and costly journey from Rangoon, his wife has said she plans to visit him as soon as possible. The journalist has had several heart attacks since he was arrested.

A few days before the visitation ban was lifted, Sein Hla Oo's wife was invited to the house of Aung San Suu Kyi, who said she was worried about his health and promised to intervene with the authorities. The visitation ban was also lifted for opposition figure Khin Zaw Win, who is also imprisoned at Myitkyina.

Finally, in a recent message to the Avignon International Theatre Festival, Czech President Vaclav Havel expressed his support for imprisoned writers and journalists. He particularly singled out U Win Tin for mention. Journalist U Win Tin, an official of the opposition National League for Democracy, has been held at Rangoon's Insein Prison since 4 July 1989 (see IFEX alerts of 31 and 10 May, 11 March and 14 February 2002, 10 April 2001, 28 November and 28 April 2000 and 9 October 1997).

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