Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – Despite the deteriorating health of 88 Generation Student Myo Yan Naung Thein, prison officials of Insein prison have not allowed him proper treatment and produced him before the court on Thursday.

88 Generation Student Myo Yan Naung Thein (34), who hails from Kamayut Township, has been in custody in Insein prison since December 14, 2007. He is paralyzed from the waist downwards and has not been allowed any medical treatment.

"He was produced before the court today, but not yet allowed treatment and hasn't yet got a medical certificate allowing him to undergo treatment outside. He was paralyzed from the waist downwards due to torture during interrogation. He cannot walk and was taken to court in a stretcher today," Pho Phyu, his defence counsel told Mizzima.

"His health situation has taken a turn for the worse and he couldn't walk today. He was carried into the courtroom. He was remanded again as the witness did not come today. He did not get bail," lawyer Myint Thaung, a member of the NLD Legal Aid group told Mizzima.

He was first arrested by the regime in July 1997, for leading a students' protest, which took place in December 1996 along with 8 other 88 Generation Students. Then he was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment. Later he led the Saffron Revolution, which took place in September 2007, and was arrested again. His friend Kyaw Lynn Oo, who is living in Thailand, now said that he was tortured both times.

He has been charged under section 505(b), of committing an offence against public tranquility, facing at least two years' imprisonment if convicted, his defence counsel Pho Phyu said.

Four other '88 Generation Students' were produced before the court today along with Myo Yan Naung Thein.

Zaw Min from Syriam, Min Min a.k.a. Baung Baung, Khin Moe Moe from North Okkalapa and Kyaw Soe are also charged under section 505(b) of the Criminal Code.

Moreover, Khin Moe Moe and Kyaw Soe were found with foreign currency in their possession, when they were arrested. They are also charged under Section 24 of the Foreign Exchange Act, Myint Thaung said.