The medical checkup and treatment provided to the elected Shan party leader, languishing in the northernmost prison of junta-ruled Burma since 2005, has been perfunctory, according to sources close to his family.

The 66-year old politician has been suffering from diabetes, “sweet blood” and high blood pressure. “At least we should thank the prison authorities for allowing us to buy him necessary medication,” said one.

He is allowed to take an hour’s walk outside his cell each day, added another.

He is being held in solitary confinement with no radio to listen to but only reading materials approved by the authorities.

His family, “mostly it is his wife” who lives in Rangoon, is allowed to visit him once a month.

Despite the ordeal, his spirits reportedly remain high. “He always urges us not to abandon our ideals on account of him,” said one. “His self-possession is such he even earns respect from other inmates, which include Gen Khin Myunt’s former officers.”

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions stated on March 24 that the ruling military junta, being an illegitimate government, had no right to charge him and his colleagues for treason. One of them, ‘Math’ Myint Than, died in Sandoway on May 2, 2006. All of them were sentenced for 75 years to 106 years in prison.

Hkun Htun Oo was sentenced to 95 years.