Narinjara News

7/7/2005

 


Arakanese Political Prisoners Released

Yesterday, 240 political prisoners were released, including some prominent leaders. Many Arakanese political prisoners were among those released from prison. These political prisoners were part of the Junta's latest round of prisoner releases.

U Than Tun Aung, U Lone Chaw and U San Shwe Tun were released from the Akyab prison. They were detained in 2001 during the communal riot between Buddhists and Muslims in Akyab.

According to close relatives, they were not involved in the riot, but they were prominent leaders during the 1988 Democracy Uprising. Their extremely critical stance against the junta is the only reason they were arrested, say the relatives.

Another two political prisoners released from the Akyab prison were Ko Kyi Thar Nyein and Shwe Wynn.

From Thayawaddy prison, U Khaing Soe was released yesterday. However, whether or not any of his 17 colleagues have been released with him has not been confirmed.

U Khaing Soe and his colleagues were members of the Communist Party of Arakan. They were part of the 1986 raid on Min Bya, a town of middle part of Arakan state. Eighteen people were arrested; fourteen received death sentences and four received 25-year sentences.

Among the released political prisoners, Khaing Kaung Zan is not included.

Khaing Kaung Zan is one of the leading Arakanese activists for democracy in Burma. He had been working for his country in Thailand, from where he was deported into the hands of Burmese junta by the Thai police.


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