Convicted former Mandalay mayor, Dr. Ye Lwin who was in Obo Prison in Mandalay, has been taken to the local hospital for diagnostic tests of his gastrointestinal tract, according to a source in the prison who spoke to Mizzima on February 6.

The former mayor was taken to the hospital on 4 February, and will reportedly undergo medical tests on 7 February.

"At the request of former mayor, he will undergo medical checks on 7 February. If necessary, he will receive appropriate medical treatment,” said the source.

When Dr. Ye Liwn was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment under Section 505 (b) at the Obo prison court on December 8 he was already suspected to have been suffering from gastrointestinal problems for the previous two months.

He was charged under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for using a three-finger salute on his Facebook page to protest against the military coup.

Dr. Ye Lwin is an ophthalmologist who was elected as the Minister for Mandalay City Development Affairs at the 2015 election. He is also a well-respected figure in the city's development programmes.