ABFSU named the six as technology students Tha Htoo Aung and Zarni Lin; Zin Min Htet, an extra-mural student; Kyaw Thiha and Kyaw Thu Soe, who are studying geography; and economics student Ye Lin Phyo.-ARRESTED
Eleven student activists were arrested last week for distributing leaflets in Rangoon urging an election boycott, according to a leading student group.
Five of the arrested students were later released but the remaining six are still in custody, said spokesman Zarni of the underground All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) on Wednesday.
The ABFSU named the six as technology students Tha Htoo Aung and Zarni Lin; Zin Min Htet, an extra-mural student; Kyaw Thiha and Kyaw Thu Soe, who are studying geography; and economics student Ye Lin Phyo.
They were arrested for distributing the leaflets on the Dagon University campus.
Zarni said the leaflets reminded citizens of their right not to vote and containing the messages: “If you vote the USDP [the junta-backed party], monks and people will be killed again” and “the 2008 constitution and elections guarantee that military rule will be prolonged.”
Zarni told The Irrawaddy the authorities had acted illegally by arresting the students because the election law allowed citizens to refrain from voting.
State media reported in August, however, that anyone who “distracts” the election could face a punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment under the State Emergency Act 3.
Dagon University’s rector, U San, declined to comment on the arrests when The Irrawaddy contacted him on Wednesday. “I don’t have information about it,” he said.
A junior official at the university, however, confirmed the arrests.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19581
