Four NLD prisoners moved to Insein 'dog cell'

by Phanida

Monday, 27 October 2008 13:19

Chiang Mai – Prison authorities have kept four National League for Democracy (NLD) party members in a dog cell in Insein prison since last Sunday following a quarrel with business tycoon Maung Weik and his men, who are being held on drug trafficking charges. Aung Tun, Yan Naing Tun and Pho Toke from the NLD, who are being held in Insein prison for protesting against the detention of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were placed in a dog cell after a row with Maung Weik's men over the use of a water supply pipe for bathing. "Maung Weik's men quarreled with the prisoners of conscience. They monopolized the bathing tank and beat the political prisoners after having a quarrel with them. After that, they were sent to their new place of confinement," their defense lawyer told Mizzima. These three NLD party members quarreled with business tycoon Maung Weik and his men, namely Aung Min, Nay Tun Lwin, Kyaw Phone Naing, Kyaw Hlaing, and Ohn Thee (a.k.a. Kyaw Win), all from Rangoon and being held for drug offenses. Drug traffickers can enjoy privileges in prison as elite prisoners by bribing prison authorities popularly known in Burmese prison jargon as 'Parcel', 'Ah Htoke' and 'Ut Hte', a political prisoner who was recently released from prison explained. Besides these three NLD party members, another NLD party member, Thet Wei, Chairman of the Sanchaung Township NLD and being held in Insein prison for lodging a complaint on a child soldier case with the International Labor Organisation (ILO), was also sent to the Special Ward, or dog cell, for his involvement in the prison yard altercation, a family member said. "The drug trafficker Maung Weik and his three men used the water supply pipe while bathing without refilling the tank. After that, political prisoners had a quarrel with them. But the jailor didn't take any action against the problem makers. Instead he sent Ko Aung Tun and his colleagues to a dog cell. U Thet Wei was also sent to the Special Ward," he added. Thet Wei was sentenced to two years imprisonment last month. The family members of these prisoners are concerned over their fate and have no idea how long they will be kept in solitary confinement, lawyer Pho Phyu said. "Enjoying privileged rights in prison is contrary to the law and also demonstrates the high-handedness of these elite criminal prisoners over other prisoners," he went on to say. Maung Weik (35), Managing Director of Maung Weik and Family Co., is charged with possession and trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic drugs, such as ecstasy, methamphetamine and ketamine. He is facing life imprisonment if found guilty. < Prev   Next >