Family members and a human rights group expressed concern on Saturday after hearing unconfirmed reports that Kyaw Min Yu, or Jimmy, a prominent leader of the 88 Generation Students group, has died in a junta detention center. Rumors said he had been tortured.
The report could not be confirmed.
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| Kyaw Min Yu (aka) Jimmy |
Bo Kyi, the joint secretary of the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), issued a statement Saturday afternoon, acknowledging the report was based on rumors.
A family member told The Irrawaddy that members of Jimmy's family went to the Home Ministry on Saturday afternoon to try to confirm the rumor.
"The officials didn’t tell us anything, except to send a letter about the family’s concern to the ministry," said the family member.
“I am so worried about him,” said Jimmy’s wife, Nilar Thein, who is being hunted by authorities following the recent protests. A former political prisoner, she served about 10 years in prison following a demonstration in the mid-1990s.
Jimmy, 38 years old and in good health, was detained on August 21 after he and other leading activists led a peaceful march in Rangoon protesting the regime's fuel price hikes.
Jimmy played a leading role in the 1988 nationwide pro-democracy uprising. He spent about 15 years in prison.
Family members and activists said they believe Jimmy and fellow activists, including prominent leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, are being held in the annex jail of Insein Prison in Rangoon.
Security at Insein Prison has been tightened during recent weeks, according to sources close to the prison.
The AAPP statement said two other leaders of the 88 Generation Students group, Kyaw Kyaw Htwe and Min Zeya, were reportedly hospitalized.
The military government accused the leaders of the 88 Generation Students group of undermining efforts to carry out a peaceful transition of state power following the
the National Convention.
The group leaders could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, if found guilty.
A family member told The Irrawaddy that members of Jimmy's family went to the Home Ministry on Saturday afternoon to try to confirm the rumor.
"The officials didn’t tell us anything, except to send a letter about the family’s concern to the ministry," said the family member.
“I am so worried about him,” said Jimmy’s wife, Nilar Thein, who is being hunted by authorities following the recent protests. A former political prisoner, she served about 10 years in prison following a demonstration in the mid-1990s.
Jimmy, 38 years old and in good health, was detained on August 21 after he and other leading activists led a peaceful march in Rangoon protesting the regime's fuel price hikes.
Jimmy played a leading role in the 1988 nationwide pro-democracy uprising. He spent about 15 years in prison.
Family members and activists said they believe Jimmy and fellow activists, including prominent leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, are being held in the annex jail of Insein Prison in Rangoon.
Security at Insein Prison has been tightened during recent weeks, according to sources close to the prison.
The AAPP statement said two other leaders of the 88 Generation Students group, Kyaw Kyaw Htwe and Min Zeya, were reportedly hospitalized.
The military government accused the leaders of the 88 Generation Students group of undermining efforts to carry out a peaceful transition of state power following the
the National Convention.
The group leaders could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, if found guilty.
