U Khain Tun, a member of the former Arakan Communist Party (ACP), was released from Insein Prison on Monday after serving a 22-year sentence, said a relative.

"He has been released but now he needs medical attention as his health has deteriorated," he said.

U Khaing Tun was arrested by the Burmese Army while he was traveling to Sittwe from Rambree Island soon after armed ACP members occupied the town of Minbya in Arakan in 1986.

During the occupation, ACP seized over 100 guns from the Minbya police station and took 1.6 million Burmese kyat from the bank. The Burmese Army launched an operation against the party, and many members of the ACP were arrested and killed by the regime.

According to local people, over 100 villagers were killed by the Burmese Army and many women were raped by soldiers during the operation.

U Khaing Tun was able to avoid being executed by the army because he was arrested in front of people in Sittwe, but he did not escape severe torture at the hands of the authorities during interrogation.

After being interrogated he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Insein. Later his term was reduced to 22 years.

"Khaing Tun met his relatives only once during his long prison term, and it was arranged by the ICRC," his relative added.

U Khaing Tun was arrested when he was 48 years old. He is now in his 70s.