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A political prisoner of the Burma's Putao Prison died.

A Burmese political prisoner, died due to inadequate medical facilities. When the said prisoner developed life-threatening illness, Burmese junta refused to give permission for him to obtain treatment in a hospital outside the prison, alleged Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP), a non-governmental organization outside Burma, which monitors the plight of the Burmese political prisoners.

It was Ko Khin Maung Lwin (38 years) the political prisoner who passed away on January 11, 2006 at 9:30 a.m in Putao hospital, in the northern part of Burma.

Ko Khin Maung Lwin was the son of U Aung Kyi (deceased) and Daw Than Aye (68 years), who lives in Myitta Street, Thakayta Township, Rangoon.

According to the background information provided by AAPP, Ko Khin Maung Lwin was an activist, who was involved in the 1988 uprising to fight against the military regime and to establish Democracy in Burma.

He lead the Green Star Youth's Front (Kyel Sein Lu-Nge Tat Oo) at the demonstration camp in front of Rangoon General Hospital. Later he joined the Democracy Party and was a candidate in the 1990 election for the Kunchangone township constituency.

In 1995, he served as a witness for a woman who had been raped. The military regime accused him of giving false testimony, and he was sentenced to one and half years hard labor. He was released on 1996.

In 1998, he wrote an open letter titled "HELP" ( Kal Daw Mu Gya Per) and sent it to the Sangha Patron Association, the SPDC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

In the letter he pointed out that the people are in trouble, and that the Army generals should help them. He also asked the Sangha to repeat their own call for the people to be helped.

Due to the letter, he was arrested under the 17/20 act which isrelated with the illegal printing and publishing act, and also 124 (A) which is un-respectful behavior to the country. He was sentenced to ten years with hard labor.

He was held in the Insein prison for one month and then transferred to Kale prison. He was then transferred again from Kale to Loikaw prison on 5 May 2002. He was held seven months in Kale and then transferred again to Putao prison.

The AAPP reveals that he continuously suffered hypertension, heart disease, piles disease, malaria and urethra stricture. He requested proper medical treatment from the prison authorities many times.

Accotding to AAPP even after the prison superintendent recommended him for treatment from an outside hospital five times, but this was never granted by the military regime.

Only on January 10, according to AAPP, when the prison doctor realized he was incurably ill, he was sent to Putao hospital. After one day there he passed away.

(Courtesy: www.asiantribune.com / Date: 2006-01-13)