Thirteen political prisoners detained under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, along with 25 other prisoners on various charges have been released from Loikaw Prison after serving their full term, the Karenni Political Prisoner Association (KPPA) confirmed.
These 38 prisoners were released on 1 April and have not yet reached their families, according to the KPPA spokesperson Htar Phoe.
“The condition of the recently released political prisoners is good. Their condition looks good. But, since they haven’t yet reached the places where their families live, we have tried to arrange their accommodation and other needs. But they still need help,” he said.
The released political prisoners include nine men and four women who were arrested by the military council after the coup and sentenced to three years in prison under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, the KPPA spokesperson said.
The prisoners remaining in Loikaw Prison currently lack proper medical care, with most male prisoners suffering from weak lower body and the female prisoners from abdominal issues, he added.
Currently, there are over 100 political prisoners currently in Loikaw Prison and it is difficult to visit the prisoners, Htar Phoe added.
“The remaining prisoners need urgent help. Even if we try to send them items, most of them end up in the hands of the soldiers instead of the prisoners. So our efforts have not been completely successful. The items we intended to provide for the prisoners have gone missing,” he said.
It is also reported that 20% of the financial support meant for the prisoners is deducted by the prison staff.
The KPPA has called on the international community to provide the necessary assistance for the remaining prisoners who are still incarcerated.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.