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One more political prisoner dies in jail

Irrawaddy - May 19, 2010

Political prisoner Kyaw Soe, 40, died at Myingyan Prison in central Burma on Wednesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP).

"We have learned he passed away at the prison hospital about 10 a.m. His wife and some of his family members are traveling to Myingyun," said Bo Kyi, the joint-secretary of the AAPP. "His death means 114 political prisoners have died in Burma's prison system."

The AAPP said he had suffered from a respiratory disease and stomach problems. He is survived by his wife and a 7-year-old daughter.

Kyaw Soe was a member of the opposition National League for Democracy and the human rights group, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters. He was arrested in September 2008 and charged with having contact with unlawful organizations and other charges.

Myingyan Prison is one of the most notorious prisons in the country. Several political prisoners have died at the prison in past years, some as a result of torture, said human rights group.

Saw Yin Tint, a Karen ethnic from the Irrawaddy delta, died in the prison in 1996 after he was tortured by prison wardens, said rights groups. Another Karen, Saw Ether, also died in 1998 due to ill-treatment and malnutrition in the prison.

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