Six more political prisoners died after being taken from Kyaikzakaw prison

Daik-U, July (21)

Out of the 37 missing political prisoners who were taken out of Kyaikzako Prison in Daik-U Township, Bago Region, six more political prisoners have died, said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) on July 19.

Among the six dead political prisoners are Ko Yar Lay, Ko Jar Gyi, Ko Zin Win Htut, Ko Aung Myo Thu, Ko Bo Bo Win, and Ko Nay Aye.

An official of the AAPP told Than Lwin Times that such arbitrary torture and killing of political prisoners is brutal behavior.

On 27^th of June, 37 political prisoners were reported missing from Kyaikzakaw Prison, and on July 7 and 8, the head officer of Daik-U Prison informed the families of the deaths of Ko Khant Lin Naing and Ko Pyae Phyo Hein.

The military council sent notices of their deaths to the relatives of these missing political detainees. This is not only an extrajudicial killing of political prisoners, but also severe psychological torture of political prisoners’ family members, said the AAPP.

In a letter sent to the families of the dead political prisoners, Ko Khant Lin Naing and Ko Pyae Phyo Hein, by the officer of Kyaikzakaw Prison, it is stated that the prisoners took advantage of an accident with a prison vehicle while they were being transferred to Insein Prison and fled, as the security personnel shot and arrested them, and died accidentally.

According to Chapter 11 of the Prisons Act, inmates who attempt to escape will be punished with hard labor, having their rations cut off, and being put in solitary confinement as the maximum punishment.

If prisoners are transferred to another jail, prison authorities and police officers provide security by shackling the transferred prisoners’ feet and locking the prison car, according to sources close to the matter.

AAPP strongly requests governments and international institutions around the world to carry out emergency investigations and take immediate and effective action against the military junta, which has been carrying out extrajudicial killings among other atrocities.

News-Than Lwin Times

Photo-AAPP