Freed driver gives details of Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest in May incident

DVB ( December 11 )

All the youths detained in connection with the 30 May Tabayin incident were released by the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) from Hkamti Jail on 2 December.

Ko Kyaw Soe Lin, who was the driver of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's car during the Tabayin trip, was among those released. Although many believe Ko Kyaw Soe Lin was instrumental in saving the life of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the Tabayin incident, Ko Kyaw Soe Lin himself, during an interview with DVB, attributed that to the power and glory of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the loving kindness of the people.

Ko Kyaw Soe Lin began by explaining the views and concerns of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for the NLD (National League for Democracy) members and the people during the Tabayin incident.

Kyaw Soe Lin : Aunty, I mean Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we all call her Aunty, she has great metta (loving kindness) and a true leader. When NLD supporters were attacked by the people, we were urged to drive away from the scene and Aunty said she did not feel right to leave her supporters behind. When we reached Ye-U, the local military commander came and called her. She told them that she would come if they carry out their duties according to law, if not she would rather stay with her supporters. This showed her true leadership and great metta for her supporters. Well, regarding our escape, I believe it has nothing to do with my driving experience. It is because of auntie's power and glory and the loving kindness of the people that we managed to escape from the incident.

DVB : Yes. Could you relate to us your personal experience, from the very beginning?

Kyaw Soe Lin : Yes. We saw that they were attacking us from the rear. All the supporters urged us to drive away. I thought the people wanted us to stop the car because they wanted to greet Aunty. I stopped the car and as I was about to talk I received news from the back of the convoy that the cars following us were attacking the people who came to greet us. Eventually they were hitting all the cars including ours. Then we were urged to drive away. Aunty said she did not feel right to leave her supporters behind. At that time our car was also struck. All the windows from both sides were smashed including the rearview mirrors. Finally, I decided to drive away from the scene because auntie's personal safety was being threatened.

DVB : Did you notice whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi receive any injuries?

Kyaw Soe Lin : Actually, I did not pay much attention to her along the way because I was driving. But let me relate to you what others saw. They said they saw some cuts on her neck. Many said the same thing.

DVB : What about you, did you receive any injuries?

Kyaw Soe Lin : I received some cuts in my right arm from the broken glass. I was also hit twice on the head, once with a brick and the other I was not sure with what but I suffered a cut.

DVB : Could you tell us where your car was blocked and how you were arrested?

Kyaw Soe Lin : We arrived at Ye-U. Ours was the only car to reach Ye-U. There was a bamboo road barrier guarded by a few elderly men who said we were not allowed to enter the city. They then reported to the local authorities. Later, the local authorities and some policemen arrived followed by a military commander. They asked us to follow them to the police station. We were escorted to the police station by a few police cars and a few traffic police motorcycles. The commander followed in a four wheel drive military vehicle. That was what I saw.

DVB : Yes. Could you also explain about Aunty Suu's last words and how Aunty Suu and you were separated?

Kyaw Soe Lin : When we reached Ye-U, they were already talking about separating Aunty Suu from us. She told them that she could not come alone. She said she would come if they carry out their duties according to law, if not she would rather stay with us. They told her that they would and took Aunty away. Meanwhile, we were all put in the Ye-U police station lock-up. We spent two nights there and then were sent to Shwebo Jail. We spent one night in Shwebo and were sent to Khamti Jail by plane the following day. We were taken to Tada-U airport from Shwebo by a goods truck where we were later put on a plane to Khamti.

Ko Kyaw Soe Lin is the son of U Ko Ko Gyi, the treasurer of Mandalay Division NLD. U Ko Ko Gyi was arrested in July by military intelligence personnel at Tada-U airport after he returned from visiting his son in Khamti jail. He is currently incarcerated at Mandalay jail.

(BBC Monitoring Service)