One more MP, Khun Myint Tun released

DVB ( August 11,2003)

Khun Myint Tun, a NLD MP who was sentenced to long-term imprisonment was released by the military government on 1 August.

Khun Myint Tun was arrested with other 19 NLD members in May 1996 by the military intelligence (MI|) agents.

He was charged of having contacts with dissident organisations abroad and was sentenced to seven years as the result. But another three years of imprisonment was added in connection with giving videotapes of Aung San Suu Kyi’s speeches to an Australian journalist.

As Khun Myint Tun often staged protests and hunger strikes in prison, he was sent to the remote Butheetaung Prison in Arakan State.

Dr Myint Cho, the director of Members of Parliament’s Union (MPU) based in exile responded to the release of Khun Myint Tun.

“The act of making political profits by releasing the MP who shouldn’t have been is meaningless. In my view, the arrests of MPs are utterly unfair,” said Dr. Myint Cho. “The SPDC should give the MPs their chances to implement the results of the elections as it is the wish of the people of Burma.”

According to Dr. Myint Cho, there are 38 MPs in detention at the moment.

“Among 485 MPs, there were 18 MPs in prison before 30 May. After that, seven NLD CEC members and U Kyi Maung were also put under house arrest,” explained, Dr. Myint Cho. “Also, we can definitely say that eight more MPs are being detained.”

In addition, five more MPs were arrested. Dr. Myint Cho said that his organisation did not know what have happened to them.

“We are keeping them in the list of missing people. We can regard the missing people as being detained,” explained Dr Myint Cho.

The list of missing people given by Dr. Myint Cho was as follows:

Hla Maung,
Maung Maung Latt
Myint Kyi
Saw Aung and
Saw Hlaing

Profile : Khun Myint Tun, 41, is the MP of No.1, Thahton Township Constituency, Mon State.