A village administrator from Minbya in Arakan State serving three years in prison for alleged links to the Arakan Army was released on 22 January as part of President Thein Sein's political prisoner amnesty.
Daw Aye Nu Sein, a lawyer who advocated for his release, said: "I met him at Sittwe Prison after his release, he is in good health."
Ko Maung Win was detained by the army at his home at La Har Gyay Village in Minbya Township on 23 May 2015 for suspected links to the Arakan Army. Later police prosecuted him under Act 17 (1), the Unlawful Associations Act, which stipulates that it is illegal to have any contact with illegal associations such as the Arakan Army.
On 29 September 2015 he was sentenced to three years imprisonment and hard labour by the judge at Minbya Township Court.
About 52 political prisoners were released from jails around Burma on 22 January as part of the presidential amnesty. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) claims that there are more than 78 political prisoners still in prison and hundreds more are facing politically motivated prosecutions.
The AAPP has welcomed the presidential amnesty for political prisoners, but it is continuing to demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Myanmar.
Courtesy BNI