8 Political prisoners released

DVB ( 11 November 2003 )

8 political prisoners who were arrested in connection with Dipeyin incident were recently released by the SPDC, according to Mr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the UN special envoy to Burma.

4 were released from Insein Jail in Rangoon and 3 from Shwebo in upper Burma. The ones released from Insein are Mogok MP Daw May Hnin Kyi, Kawthaung MP U Hla Minn and two NLD members.

Daw May Hnin Kyi was arrested on 17 July and detained in Insein Prison for nearly four months. She was released from prison because she staged a hunger strike, according to NLD members in Rangoon.

U Aung Soe, an organiser of Mandalay Division NLD, Ko Hla Oo, a youth from Northeast Mandalay Township and Tayza Naing, a student from Myinmu were released from Shwebo Prison on 9 November.

Before they were released, the three were forced to sign an agreement to the effect that they would be prosecuted if they talk to people about their experiences.

U Aung Soe and Ko Hla Oo are still receiving medical treatments for the wounds they received during Dipeyin assault. They were released before the ICRC came to inspect the prison, according to a NLD member in Mandalay.

Ten NLD members including Daw Win Mya Mya who were arrested and imprisoned in connection with Dipeyin incident are still languishing in Shwebo Prison.

Although the SPDC is releasing some of the prisoners arrested during the incident, it is still arresting more NLD activists.

Recently, three youth from Rangoon were each sentenced to seven years in prison.