Dagon Man Arrested For Second Time

Jan 30, 2008 (DVB)

A man from New Dagon township in Rangoon who was arrested on 1 January after an argument with a local official has been arrested for the second time, his family said. Please click here for full report.

Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi Charged Against Press Legislation

25 January 2008
Original report by Aye Aye Mon, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

Ming Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, leaders of 8888 Generation Students, and detainees of Insein prison have as last been told of which crime they actually committed - section 17 & 19: to do with press and printing laws - according to Senior Attorney U Aung Thein.

Families of the two men found out about the charges when they visited them in prison.

The leaders of 8888 Generation Students have been captured and detained since last August after they led the commodity price protests.

NLD Youth Shot In The Back

25 January 2008
Original report by Aye Aye Mon, DVB
Translation by Nay Chi U

Thingungyun National League for Democracy Party (Youth) member Ko Mya Than Htike, who was shot in the back, appeared at Kyauk Tada magistrate court on 22 January, according to senior attorney U Aung Thein.

He was charged under sections 145: for refusing to obey riot police warning and 505b: acting to 'dishonour' the State, and prosecuted by Inspector Soe Naing of Kyauk Tada police station.

Soe Naing claimed that the troops were ordered to take over, and to use force to disperse demonstrators as they did not obey the order issued by 'authorities' under section 144, to disperse immediately, and to prevent riots. He also told the court that while military troops were using force to disperse the protesters, Ko Mya Than Htike was at the front of the demonstrations.

Then U Aun Thein, the defence lawyer asked," Do you have any knowledge that Ko Mya Than Htike was shot at as he was turning his back to the soldiers and walking away from them? So that the bullet went through his bottom then came out from his left thigh ? He was not at the front, he was not facing the soldiers. He had turned his back to the soldiers and was walking away from them while the security forces shot him from the military truck. Did you know any thing of that?

The official then answered," I knew that he was in the hospital."

The next trial for the case is on 29th January and the defence lawyer said he looks forward to questioning the prosecution witnesses.

U Aung Thein has accepted at least 4 cases to represent the defendants who have been charged in connection with the September protests, in Kyauk Tada area.

Concerns Over 5 NLD Youths, Daw Pon

18 January 2008
Original report by DVB

Concerns are growing for the well-being of the 5 members of the National League for Democracy Party, Youth Wing, Daw Pon, as except for one, the families have not seen them since their arrest earlier this month.

Ko Kyaw Kyaw Lin, Ko Kyaw Zin Win, Ko Ko Aung, Ko Nayzar Myo Win and Ko Han Soe were arrested by people who called themselves the 'authorities', at the beginning of January.

With so many different repressive 'authorities' on the loose, their families encountered problems when they could not say exactly who arrested them and when, which is delaying the enquiry according to Daw Tin Lay Win, Ko Kyaw Zin Win's mother. "I was told by the PDC chief that Kyaw Kyaw Lin was arrested on 3 Jan and Kyaw Zin Win was caught on 4 January. I was also told that unless I could tell them who arrested them, they wouldn't do anything". Ko Kyaw Zin Win, who was on the run since the September protest was arrested on 4 January.

Family members are particularly worried for Ko Kyaw Kyaw Lin, who needs regular medication for TB and Ko Kyaw Zin Lin, who recently had a hernia operation, said Daw Tin Lay Win.

Ko Ko Aung, who has been detained in Dagon police station is the only one who has been seen by the family. Ko Nayzar Myo Win and Ko Han Soe, who were in custody in Kyauk Tada police station, were permitted food and personal items but not family visits.

Daw Hla Hlaw Win, whose son Ko Nayzar Myo Win was arrested on 5 January said, " They said just for one or two questions, please lend us your son for a while, so he went. They told me they were 'Da Na'or civil police, but later, I was told they were 'Ta La Ya - Naing': military intelligence, so I followed them. They told me to come the next day so I went, but I could only leave clothing for him. I haven't been allowed to see him. "

"I was told that I couldn't see my son because he has something to do with political charges under a Section of Act 6, which means I couldn't see him. I don't know if my son really has contravened that Act but they have authority, and they told me. They arrested him and they charged him. When I asked them to explain a bit more, they could tell nothing useful or helpful. When they took him away, they promised me that it would only be for a while but I haven't seen him since. How am I supposed to feel, as a parent ?

She added that she heard Ko Nayzar Myo Win could appear before court on 21 January.

NLD Youth Member's Trial

10 January 2008
Original report by Aye Aye Mon, DVB 2008
Translation by Nay Chi U

Thingun Gyun's National League for Democracy Party youth member Ko Mya Than Htike, who was arrested in connection with September protests, appeared before court yesterday, it was reported.

The youngster, who has been detained in Insein prison was originally charged under section 5 (J). However, yesterday, his charges were changed to section 505 B : offences against the state or public's tranquility and section 147:for gathering more than 5 people.

Ko Mya Than Htike was shot while protesting near Sule' Pagoda on 27 September, last year and was treated for a week in Rangoons' General Hospital but sent to Insein prison, before his wound was healed.

Military Junta On Arresting Spree

10 January 2008
Original report by Htet Aung Kyaw, DVB


The latest victim of the military junta's arresting spree was U Thet Wai, Chairman, National League for Democracy Party, San Chaung and it is not known where he has been kept, according to the NLD Communication Team.

The veteran political prisoner U Thet Wai, in his 50s, was supporting the 'soloist' U Ohn Than at his trial at Kyauk Ta Daa magistrate's court, when he was arrested yesterday, after he was seen arguing with a police official at about 1:00 pm, the eye witness reported.

"The Deputy Sergeant arrived and Hla Tun (the other official) and he, grabbed U Thet Wai's arms from each side and dragged him into one of the offices. After about half an hour questioning, the police car arrived and took him to Kyauk Ta Daa police station, where they kept him until 10 January".

When the family members of U Thet Wai went to ask about him at the police station, they were given no information, according to U Nyan Win from NLD communication team.

U Thet Wai was the 6th NLD member to be arrested since the New Year and with other activists included, 11 people have been arrested within the first 9 days of 2008.

NLD members Ko Kyaw Kyaw, Ko Kyaw Zin Win and two others, from Daw' Pone and Miss Htet Htet Aung from South Dagon were all arrested within the first week.

Five other people, who have been arrested are known as Ko Ko Maung and Ko Min Han from Mingaladon, a monk and two students.

Despite pledging to make 2008 a year of reconciliation, the junta evidently intend to carry on with their arresting spree.

"Altogether 102 members have been arrested, and are facing trial while being detained or imprisoned. The reason for the arrests is not known. The figures are very distressing. This is the time we should all concentrate on dialogue and National Reconciliation and the situation is appalingly bad if the authorities continue with these arrests and fail to release the politicians, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," said U Nyan Win.

(Please note that Ko Tun Tun Naing, NLD member from Insein has also been arrested and detained in Insein prison since 3 January. )

Missing NLD Member Found At Last, In Prison!'

9 January 2008
Original reporty by Naw Say Paw, DVB

Ko Tun Tun Naing, who left home for work on 3 January and missing since, was found, at last, as a prisoner in Insein prison.

A Member of National League for Democracy Party, Ko Tun Tun Naing, who works as a taxi driver, was arrested on 3 January and since kept in special unit No 2 in Insein prison, his wife Ma Aye Aye Thet learnt from others who visited the prison.

When she went to report a missing person, the officials from the police station took all his personal documents including photos and census. When she went back there again today, she was told, "No information yet. We are still making iquiries. If you heard anything, let us know too,' by the police.

She only found out about her husband's custody when she was told by relatives of fellow prisoners who visited the prison. "You hope that you would be at least informed of your husband's arrest. However,it looks like I have to go and report about his arrest to the police station, quite the other way around", she said.

Ko Tun Tun Naing earns his living as a taxi driver to look after his young family, with an eighteen month old son. The family is now struggling to survive, in his absence.

"I am a full time mother as our child is only 18 months old. We depend entirely on my husband's daily income. I am struggling to cope with all this and selling things by the main road so that my son and I can eat," said Ma Aye Aye Thet, who was also worried about her husband's asthma.

"All he had was what he put on, on that day. He has asthma and he is not very strong to survive in prison condition. All I know is that he is innocent but I am very worried".

Biased Local Authorities Bully Ordinary Citizens

8 January 2008
Original report by Naw Say Paw, DVB

Ko Win Ko, an ordinary citizen from Taung Talote Village, East Dagon New Town, Rangoon, who was beaten and punched unjustly by Chairman of the local PDC (the so-called Peace and Development Council)is now being held in Insein Prison, facing criminal charges,it is reported.

It all started as Ko Win Ko went to see the farmer Ko Aye Min Soe, who owed K 40,000.00 of farm labour fees to his brother Ko Myint Tun on 31 December. The two men went on to argue about the fees before Ko Win Ko was being punched by U Aye Myint, PDC chairman, who happened to be Ko Aye Min Soe's brother. Daw Aye Sein, chairman's wife also slapped Ko Win Ko's face, according to a family member.

Later, U Aye Myint reported the event to the local police office and on the night of 1 January, Ko Win Ko and his father U Chit Khine were arrested by a team of police officials, led by Deputy Sergeant Thet Zaw Oo.

On the same night the police force also went to the house of Ko Hla Ko, brother of Ko Win Ko, to arrest him as well. When the police couldn't find Ko Hla Ko in the house, one of them went to the bedroom to beat Ma Thida, wife of Ko Hla Ko, who was in bed , with a truncheon. It was understood that Ma Thida was ill at the time. The arrest and search were all conducted by the police force, in the absence of the local authorities (PDC) and also without a warrant, it was reported.

Ko Win Ko and U Chit Khine were sent to Insein prison on 3 January and are due to appear before East Dagon New Town magistrate court on 11 January.

When the town's PDC office and police office were contacted , both refused to answer any question, concerning the case.

NLD Urges SPDC To Start Genuine Discussions

January 4, 2008
Original report by Maung Too, DVB

On the 60th Anniversary of Burma's Independence Day, the National League for Democracy (NLD) Party has urged the SPDC military government to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo and to start genuine discussions on the political future of the nation immediately.

The announcement was released at the Independence Day celebration, held at the headquarters of NLD Party, Shwe Gon Dine, Rangoon, at noon today. U Aung Shwe, chairman of the NLD Party gave a speech at the ceremony while U Hla Pe' read the announcement.

The event was attended by about 700 people, including the country's high-profile politicians, foreign diplomats and students. A booklet, the "Biography of General Aung San, The Architech of The Independence" and the NLD Youth's Newsletters, were distributed.

The ceremony ended at 3:00 pm.

The Junta Carries Out New Year Arrests

5 January 2008
Original report by Maung Too, DVB

More than 10 pro-democracy activists, including a monk, have been arrested by the military junta since New Years Day, in Rangoon alone, it is reported.

NLD (Youth) members Miss Htet Htet Aung from South Dagon, Ko Kyaw Kyaw and Ko Kyaw Zin Win from Dawbone were all arrested yesterday according to U Nyan Win, member, information team, National League for Democracy Party.

On 3rd January, a monk and 4 poeple were arrested at 'Sate Taing Kya' Teashop in Lewis Road. On separate occasion, Ko Ko Maung and Ko Min Han were also arrested. Both men were former political prisoners of 8888 generation, according to the leader Ko Soe Tun.

The house, where Kyaw Ko Ko, leader, ABSFU ( All Burmese Federation of Student Unions Committee was staying was surrounded and searched but he escaped. Details of the arrests were not known.

Some NLD members of Ye' Nan Chaung, who were arrested and detained during the Independence Day celebration period have been all released.

The military junta has been carrying out these arrests despite the requests and appeals from International organisations including the United Nations.

Eight More Arrested

4 January 2008
Original report : DVB

Miss Htet Htet Aung from South Dagon and Ko Kyaw Kyaw Linn from Dawbone, both members of the National League for Democracy (Youth) Party were arrested this morning, it is reported. They were taken away for questioning and the families are still waiting for their return.

Similarly, Ko Ko Maung from Mingala Don and Ko Min Han from North Okkalapa were arrested on 2nd January.

Three other people and a monk were also arrested on 3nd January, it is reported.