Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA)

November 13, 2003

Nai Yetkha’s family again asks ICRC to meet him in prison

The family of a New Mon State Party member Nai Yetkha, who is currently in SPDC’s detention with accusation of assassination attempt to military leaders, is again demanding ICRC to approach the regime leaders to ask for a meeting with detainee.

After over 100 days in detention, the regime in Rangoon did not allow NMSP leaders and his family to meet him.

NMSP has several times asked the regime to meet with Nai Yetkha and one of his colleagues, Nai Cheam Gakao, who is also a NMSP member, but the regime constantly refused. The regime similarly refused to Nai Yetkha’s family for a meeting with him.

His family again asks ICRC in Moulmein today for a meeting with him as second time.

“We just want to see him once for family purpose only. There was some financial usage before he was arrested and we want to ask him more information. We don’t want to ask about his trial. So that we second time ask ICRC to help us”, said by a member of Nai Yetkha’s family.

Nai Yetkha and one of his colleague, Nai Cheam Gakao, and other members of Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) Nai Min Kyi, Mehm Shwe Man and Mehm Than Tun Lay were arrested on July 17 by the regime with accusation of assassination attempt to SPDC leaders.

Only July 26, the regime conducted a press conference about this case and put them in trial. Since then they have not allowed anyone for meeting with them.

Other source who close to those detainees said that other persons except two NMSP members are detained for the life-term imprisonment.

 The families of two NMSP members and their friends also expect the NMSP to help them release by negotiating with regime leaders.