Political prisoners tortured for marking 3-month anniversary of executions

Officials at Yangon’s Insein Prison have cracked down hard on 21 political prisoners who offered alms in memory of four executed activists last Sunday, according to prison sources.

All 21 of the prisoners were severely beaten for marking the three-month anniversary on October 23 of Myanmar’s first executions in decades, while their four leaders were also shackled and placed in cells with little light or ventilation, one source said.

“They were sent to solitary confinement and also forced to do hard labour. They had to pull weeds, collect sewage, and dig holes. If they didn’t work fast enough, they were beaten,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the four leaders of the group were Yeyint Ko, Yeyint Bo, Wathone San and Hanthar.

The other prisoners were identified as Thet Koko Htwe, Kyawkyaw Khant, Soe Koko, Aung Pyaesone Oo, Kyaw Thet Paing, Ye Lin Aung, Zaw Zaw Han, Zayar Phyo, Phoe Kaunt, Nat Soe, Ye Kyaw, J Nyi, Nyi Zin Latt, Chanmyae Koko Zin, Aung Min Khant, Naing Htarwara and Aung Ko Min.

Another prison source told Myanmar Now that he could hear the prisoners being beaten.

“They were shouting and wailing,” he said, adding that the 17 who were not placed in solitary confinement were also forced to recite the prison’s rules for three hours straight on Monday morning.

A number of the prisoners, most of whom are facing charges of incitement or weapons possession, were expected to appear in court this week.

“They were supposed to attend hearings, but they didn’t show up,” said a court source, who added: “I heard they weren’t allowed to receive medical treatment, either.”

The ceremony on Sunday was held in memory of two top political dissidents—veteran activist Ko Jimmy and former MP Phyo Zayar Thaw—and two others executed in July for their anti-regime activities.

Since monks are not allowed to perform ceremonies inside Myanmar’s prisons, inmates usually make offerings to detained monks who continue to follow monastic rules despite being forcibly disrobed.

The situation inside Insein Prison has been especially tense since October 19, when an explosion there killed eight people, including prison officers and the relatives of prisoners.

In the aftermath of the blast, a number of political prisoners were subjected to extreme torture, sources said.

According to the latest figures released by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, there are currently 12,806 civilians being held inside Myanmar’s prisons for resisting last year’s military coup.