NLD member released in amnesty

(DVB)–National League for Democracy member Nyo Gyi, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for intimidation of Union Solidarity and Development Association officials, has been released after serving one year and four months of his term.

Nyo Gyi, deputy-chair of Mandalay’s Maddaya National League for Democracy, who was imprisoned in Sagaing’s Khandee prison, was among 6313 prisoners across Burma who were granted amnesty by the government over the weekend.

In May 2007, Than Lwin – a relative of Nyo Gyi - was punched in the face with a knuckle-duster by an unknown assailant who fled into a USDA office after the attack.

Than Lwin’s attacker was never apprehended, but nine of his colleagues and family members, including Nyo Gyi, were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for intimidation of USDA officials.

“I was kept in a cell without receiving communication from the outside world,” he said.

“The food wasn’t too bad but it was still bad, and water, too – it contained a lot of dirt and we often got sick after drinking that.”

“I had an operation on my eyes while I was in prison and now my left eye cannot see anymore,” he added.

Nyo Gyi was also arrested, tortured and sentenced to nine years in prison during 2003’s Depayin massacre but he was released after serving 11 months.

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet