Prison transfer for detained opposition member

by Phanida
Tuesday, 11 August 2009 02:15

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Kyaw Khaing, an Arakanese Member of Parliament, elected in the 1990 election, was transferred from Thandwe prison in Arakan state to Thayet prison in Magwe division in central Burma on Sunday.

Kyaw Khaing (87), who is also chairman of the organizing committee of the National League for Democracy, Taungup Township branch and vice-chairman of the organizing committee of the Arakan State NLD, was sentenced to two years in prison on June 13, on defamation charges.

“At about 1:30 p.m. (local time) yesterday, Kyaw Khaing was shifted from Thandwe prison on a highway bus,” a local resident of Thandwe town, who saw Kyaw Khaing being taken away, told Mizzima.

In early May, the vice-chairman of the NLD Township organizing committee Than Pe and Myo Myint, filed a lawsuit against Kyaw Khaing charging him with defamation. He was sentenced to two years in prison on July 13.

The two men were unhappy with Kyaw Khaing as he wrote a letter to explain to them the reason for collecting donation in the name of the NLD.

Kyaw Khaing was earlier arrested for his involvement in the monk-led protests in September 2007 and sentenced to seven years in prison but he was later released from the Thandwe prison after serving just a month’s term.