Two Mon political prisoners released to NMSP chairman

Ja loon Htaw – Nai Yekkha and Nai MyoThwe,Mon political prisoners who were sentenced to life in prison, were released to the NMSP chairman yesterday, April 30th.

Peace negotiators looked on as the two prisoners were presented to Nai Htaw Mon, Chairman of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) at 2:30pm at the Moulmein Strand Hotel, according to Peace Negotiator Nai Soe Myint who attended the ceremony.

Authorities released Nai Yekkha from Insein Prison and Nai Myo Thwe from Thayarwaddy Prison after the two were granted amnesty by President U TheinSein.

“The Union Minister for Electric Power U Zaw Min himself presented [the prisoners] to the NMSP Chairman. After that, he advised the party to work hard on the development projects of the country,” said Nai Soe Myint, the peace negotiator.

The NMSP Chairman Nai Htaw Mon responded by stating that development projects in Burma could only be realized once the political problems are solved.

In a phone interview with the Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA), Nai Yekkha said, “I have been released and currently I’m at the ceremony presenting [political prisoners] to the NMSP. I’m in good health. There are no words to express my feelings. I already met with the Chairman. Thanks to you all.”

Nai MyoThwe remarked, “I knew nothing [about the outside world] when I was in prison. I was released this morning and I’m at the hotel. Because of the immediate change from darkness to light, I don’t yet know what is happening in the outside world. I’m very happy.”

During the previous four peace talks between the NMSP and union level government representatives, the NMSP repeatedly demanded the release of its two political prisoners.

Nai Yekkha and Nai MyoThwe were convicted on July 17, 2003, by the former Burmese junta—the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)—of plotting to overthrow State leaders. U Aye Myint, an attorney of Lan-pya-kyae(Guiding Star) Association, and the Eleven Sport Journal Editor Ko Zaw Thet Htew were also arrested at that time.

After the prisoners were found guilty of treason, they were sentenced to death on November 28, 2003, but after lodging appeals the sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.

Nai Yekkha is a district level NMSP member and Nai MyoThwe commanded Thanbyuzayat Township until his imprisonment.