Activist still in prison despite completing jail term

Activist still in prison despite completing jail term

By Mg Zaw   |   Thursday, 05 June 2014

 

Mandalay Region officials are keeping a political activist in jail despite his sentence having been completed, his colleagues say.

Ko Thein Aung Myint, a member of the Myanmar Democracy Current Forces group, said land rights activist Ko Aye Thein was due to be released on May 31 but had not been released as of June 3.

Ko Aye Thein was arrested on June 21, 2013 and sentenced to six months' prison with hard labour on December 13, 2013, after being convicted of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty. The charges stemmed from his involve in a land dispute in Chan Myar Thar Si township.

"According to the judge's public decision, Ko Aye Thein was to be released on May 31. But he still hasn't come out yet because judge gave additional charges that were not released to the public," Ko Thein Aung Myint said at a press conference in front of Chan Myar Thar Si township court on June 3.

He said he had applied to protest over the issue but his application had been rejected.

After the press conference, reporters went to ask the presiding judge, U Ni Tun Oo, about the accusations but were told he was travelling to the regional court and was not available.

– Translation by Khant Lin Oo

 

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2014/06/05/activist-still-in-prison-despite-completing-jail-term/