Rai Maraoh – Mon political prisoner, young monk Zaw Latt otherwise known as Ashin Oak-kan-sa, was on of the prisoners released in yesterday’s amnesty by the Burmese government.
Zaw Latt was jailed for 15 years due to his opposition to the 2010 general elections and was released from Pa-Thein prison, according to his attorney.
“That’s right. A person who was released together whim him phoned me. Young monk Zaw Latt was also included, but (he) hasn’t contacted me yet. Now (he) is heading for Yangon,” Daw Khin Htay Kywe, Zaw latt’s attorney, told Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA).
Ashin Oak-kan-sa was arrested by Township police on January 7th, 2010, at Kya-khine-ye Ward in Thanphyuzayart township. He was processed through Inseing prison and eventually was moved to, and stayed until his release, in Pa-Thein prison.
A relative of Zaw Latt from Mu-doon Village said, “He phone his younger sister saying he was released. He will arrive in Rangoon this evening. People from the village will go to Rangoon to welcome him.”
Ashin Oak-kan-sa is 28 years old and a resident of the Mu-doon village, in Chaung Zone Township in Mon State. Before his incarceration, Ashin Oak-kan-sa was an assistant lecturer in Buddhism at the Aung Zay Ya Buddhism-schooling Monastery in Mudon Township, Nine-Hlon village and living there for over five years.
Although the release of Zaw Latt is being greatly celebrated, two other prominent Mon political prisoners, Nai Yarkha who faces a life sentence and Nai Myo Thwe, have not been released.
This most recent amnesty by order of President Thein Sein, where 651 prisoners wherer released, was declared ten days after the third amnesty on MRTV, January 12th.
Since the first amnesty announced by President Thein Sein on May 16th, 2011, it is estimated that 14,600 prisoners, including some political prisoners, have been released.
