Myanmar political prisoner Dein Daung dies after delayed medical treatment

Political prisoner Soe Moe Naing, better known as Dein Daung, died on Tuesday after being taken to a hospital from Myingyan Prison in Mandalay Region, where he had reportedly suffered from heart disease for nearly two years without adequate medical treatment, according to a source close to his family. Dein Daung, 60, died from ischemic heart disease after experiencing severe breathing difficulties, the source said. He was taken to Myingyan General Hospital at about 11:30pm on Tuesday but had died by the time he arrived. His family was not allowed to take custody of his body, and prison authorities arranged for his cremation the following afternoon, according to the family source. “His daughter went to prison. They didn’t allow her to retrieve the body for cremation. The prison just had the family follow them to the cremation location,” the source said. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) said that Dein Daung was in critical condition but that his transfer to the hospital was delayed. Citing medical records, the group said he had died by the time he reached Myingyan General Hospital. The hospital is about a mile north of Myingyan Prison, or roughly a five-minute drive, according to the report. Dein Daung developed ischemic heart disease in mid-2024 while imprisoned, the family source said. He had difficulty eating solid food and survived mainly on rice porridge, while receiving inadequate medical care. “He had been suffering from this illness for about two years,” the source said. “Because it’s inside prison, there was no such thing as adequate medical treatment.” Dein Daung was an 88 Generation student activist from Amarapura Township in Mandalay. He also took part in the 2007 Saffron Revolution and later became a leader of the Mya Taung protest group in Mandalay following the military’s 2021 coup. In November 2021, he was arrested in Pyin Oo Lwin after participating in protests and providing supplies to resistance groups. He was later sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison on various charges, including incitement under Section 505a of the Penal Code and aiding anti-regime forces under Sections 50j and 52a of the Counter-Terrorism Law. In protest of proceedings at Obo Prison’s court, he did not hire a lawyer or present a defence. He spent about six months at Obo Prison before being transferred to Myingyan Prison. A satellite image of Myingyan Prison (Photo: Google Earth) A former political prisoner who served time with Dein Daung described him as a mentor and supporter of younger inmates. The former prisoner said Dein Daung shared food from care packages with inmates who received no visitors and taught young prisoners about literature and history. He also improvised guitar frets and strings from cardboard and woven plastic to teach fellow prisoners how to play, the former prisoner said. The former prisoner recalled asking Dein Daung what he planned to do after his release. He reportedly said he wanted to visit internally displaced people and share their hardships. PPNM said deaths of sick political prisoners have continued because of inadequate medical treatment and delays in providing emergency care. The group said prison authorities and the military regime should be held responsible for these human rights violations. A similar case occurred in July, when political prisoner Hlaing Bwar died at Obo Prison in Mandalay after reportedly failing to receive adequate medical treatment. His body was not returned to his family and was instead taken to Kyar Ni Kan Cemetery for cremation, according to reports. Former prisoners have also reported poor access to medical care in prisons across Myanmar since the military seized power in February 2021. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 31,932 people had been arrested in connection with the post-coup political crisis as of September 16, with 14,821 confirmed to remain in detention. The group also reported 8,393 deaths of pro-democracy activists and civilians. The association says its figures represent only cases it has been able to document and that the actual numbers are likely higher.

Myanmar political prisoner Dein Daung dies after delayed medical treatment

The 60-year-old died en route to a hospital five minutes’ drive from the prison after experiencing severe breathing difficulties

Subscribe for full access

Across a border and into a war: A Karenni leader’s final journey

When going home is impossible: Myanmar nationals find solace in Singapore’s Peninsula Plaza

The Russian general behind Moscow’s decades-long military courtship of Myanmar

Explainer: Who are the companies and cronies backing Myanmar junta leader’s Thailand visit?

Subscribe for full access

Related Articles

Junta column faces strong resistance en route to Hpapun tactical base

Malaysia to invite Myanmar junta leader over Rohingya repatriation push

Myanmar deports US citizen detained over business dispute

Myanmar military kills six in paramotor attack on village near Magway-Rakhine border