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.

Rakhine NLD Secretarys' Appeal Rejected

10 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

U Khin Hla, Secretary of the National League for Democracy Party, Rakhine, who is serving 4 years in Than Dwe prison, has had his appeal rejected by Than Dwe' District magistrate's court today, it is reported.

U Khin Hla was arrested on 28 November, put on trial, prosecuted and sentenced to 4 years and 3 months imprisonment on the same day. It is understood that the opportunity-seeking local 'authorities' took advantage of a family dispute to seize him, although the family is now reconciled.

About 7000 locals have already added their signatures to a petition calling for the release of U Khin Hla and also Deputy Secretary Ko Min Aung.

Three monks from Sittwe have been in prison and three others have been detained for interrogation. Ko Ye' Min Oo, a university student from Gwa and three other men have been also detained.

NLD member U Ye' Thein from Boo Thee Daung has been arrested and sent to a psychiatric hospital.

U Than Hlaing, joint secretary of NLD Party, Rakhine said," At this crucial time, all selfishness and pride should be set aside and we should all be concentrating on holding meaningful discussions, for the current and long-term benefit of the country's development and future. It is vitally important that all the political prisoners are released immediately, otherwise the notion of meaningful discussions will be like writing on the surface of water. It would be a farce and not believable, and if meaningful discussions are not going to happen, I am afraid the unnecessary deaths and suffering will continue, like in a vicious circle."