July 19, 2006
Mon Political Prisoner: Nai Yekhas Health Deteriorating
Mon political prisoner, Nai Yekha has spent three years in detention in Burmas gulag, Insein prison, and has no idea when he will be released Mon political prisoner, Nai Yekha has spent three years in detention in Burmas gulag, Insein prison, and has no idea when he will be released, according to the source from his family and New Mon State Party.
The SPDC authority arrested the New Mon State Party members, Nai Yekha (Ne Win), Chem Gakow (Myo Thwe) and 10 other activists charging them state assassination attempts against Burmese military leaders in July 2003. The SPDC said they were found with two grenades and a cell phone linked to an explosion that occurred in Moulmein and other cities in 2003.
Nai Ong Ma-ngae, liaison officer of the NMSP said that Nai Yekha, who is a diabetic, is suffering from poor health, depression, and gastric problems. The NMSP was permitted to visit him in Insein Prison in previous months. His family face many difficulties in making ends meet. His health is deteriorating and he is weak, but the authorities do not allow him to leave the prison to get better treatment, Ong Ma-ngae added.
Among the 12 arrested was Nai Ong Lorn, who died in the Insein Prision on September 28, 2005.
Some of those arrested were accused of contacting the International Labour Organization (ILO) and providing them with information on the use of force labour. Following the arrest of the whole group, including Nai Yekha, all were sentenced to death. The military government held a press conference and explained the reasons for their arrest and detention in 2003.
The death sentences were later commuted due to international pressure. The other prisoners including Nai Than Tun, Nai Shwe Marn, and Nai Min Kyi of Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF) members from Pegu were released, but Nai Yekha, Chem Gakow and another activist remain in prison.