Family members are deeply worried because the political prisoners held in Kyaiksakaw Prison, located in Daik-U Township, Bago Region, have not been returned to the prison up to this day.
A family member of a political prisoner reported that there was a prison break at Taungoo prison last week. Following the incident, political prisoners from various prisons were summoned to the Military Council camp in their respective townships for examination and investigation.
"On May 25, several political prisoners were forcefully removed from Kyaiksakaw Prison. One of them, named Ko Thant Zin Win, tragically died after he was reportedly tortured at the Pyin Pongyi Military Council camp. The authorities claimed he died due to heatstroke and refused to return his body. 17 political prisoners have been taken away, and their whereabouts and well-being remain unknown. They might be targeted next, following the death of Ko Thant Zin Win. The situation is distressing and alarming," said a family member of a political prisoner in Kyaiksakaw prison.
Based on accounts from individuals close to the prison, it has been reported that the military council troops removed political prisoners from their dormitories in Kyaiksakaw prison and subjected them to severe physical beatings.
"After the news broke about the death of Ko Thant Zin Win, there has been a surge in the number of individuals joining the prison staff. However, it has come to light that these individuals are not actual prison employees, but rather military personnel. They have been instructed to wear prison employee uniforms and report to the prison. Additionally, there is a noticeable presence of soldiers stationed outside the facility, along with several unfamiliar faces in civilian clothing. It is advised to exercise caution and not trust these new employees," according to a local with contacts inside the prison.
According to the prison regulations, once an inmate has been admitted to the prison, they are not permitted to be taken out. In cases where re-examination is deemed necessary, the proper procedure requires obtaining permission from the Ministry of Interior and conducting the examination within the court premises.
The lawyer, who is a former political prisoner, emphasized that if it is not feasible to conduct the examination within the court premises, then the prisoner must be examined in the presence of prison officials.
The lawyer added ""The prison warden bears responsibility for these actions including beatings and torture and the death of death of Ko Thant Zin Win during interrogation . This is an unlawful act, constituting a war crime and a severe violation of human rights,”
We attempted to contact the prison warden by phone regarding the incidents involving the death of Ko Thant Zin Win during interrogation, the transportation of prisoners to the military compound for questioning, instances of unprovoked beatings in the prison, and cases of solitary confinement. However, our calls went unanswered by the prison warden.
Residents residing near the prison have reported that additional personnel have been employed within the prison, and security forces have been deployed in areas where individuals seek permission to visit inmates, as well as around the prison premises.
