Six opposition party members freed

By Phanida

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Burma's military junta on Wednesday released six members of the opposition party, who had been arrested and detained for two weeks, for staging protests calling for the release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a party official said.

Dr. Win Naing, spokesperson for the National League for Democracy said, six out of nine members, who were arrested for demonstrating for the release of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were released after they were made to sign pledges that they would not protest again.

"They were detained in Insein prison and were released after signing pledges that they would not protest. Their parents were also made to sign the pledges at the local township office," Dr. Win Naing said.

However, he added that three others – Htet Htet Oo Way (female), Tun Tun Win and Win Myint Maung – were still detained at the notorious Insein prison of Rangoon.

The youth, on December 30, after attending a political discussion at the party headquarters in west Shwe Gondine, marched through the streets demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained for 13 of the past 19 years.

Police arrested the activists, as they arrived at the old parliament building (now defunct), and took them away to the 'Pan Wa' interrogation centre and later detained them at Insein prison.

"I think the rest might not be released soon, because the authorities would want to threaten them as well as others from conducting any more protests," Dr. Win Naing added.

Those released on Wednesday were MIn Thein from Thakethah Township, Thet Maung Tun, Pyih Pyih, Aung Phyoe Wai, Tun Tun Lin, and Kaung Htet from Sanchuang Township.