Police Ask Family To Pay Prisoners Transfer Expenses

23 January, 2008
Original reporty by Naw Say Paw, DVB

U Win Maung, a PDC ( Peace and Development Council) Chairman, of Yan Aung Myai, Man Aung, Arakan was given 2.5 year imprisonment for his involvement in popular protests, last September. However, over six weeks after he was sentenced, he is still a detainee in a jail in Man Aung police station, according to his wife Daw Yee Yee Cho.

Despite being a chairman of the local authorities, U Win Maung whole-heartedly joined the popular protests in September, alongside other citizens and subsequently was arrested on 27 November. He was charged under sections 142 : getting involved in the illegal organizations, and 505b : disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the State. He was sentenced to serve 2.5 years in prison, on 5th December.

As a continuing detainee in Man Aung police cell, U Win Maung is allowed a shower only twice a week, and his family is responsible for all his meals.

"Because he doesn't have daily showers, he is having backaches. When we asked the police to send him to Kyauk Hpyu prison, where he should have been, they just said,'Not Now'. Then we heard from the 'inner circle' that they have to keep him at Man Aung because there are no funds for the transfer", said Daw Yee Yee Cho.

When she urged the Man Aung police officials to arrange the transfer for U Win Maung to Kyauk Hpyu prison so that he can have better accommodation (compare with the cramped cells of the police station) Win Lwin, the assistant sergeant said," If you want a quick transfer,just give us the travel cost !"

The family has hired lawyers, who are now preparing to appeal in Kyauk Hpyu magistrate court.