Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Nay Myo Zin, a leading volunteer of a blood donation group in Rangoon and a former military officer, has been arrested under the Burmese Electronics Act for writing an e-mail to a friend in a foreign country about ‘national reconciliation’, according to family members.
Nay Myo Zin, a former captain and an active volunteer in a blood donor group, has been arrested and jailed in Insein Prison. Photo : Youth Network For People(BG)His mother, Khin Thi, told Mizzima that during the family’s visit with him in Insein Prison in Rangoon, ‘He told us that he was charged under the Electronics Act because he wrote to a friend that he was ready to cooperate in trying for national reconciliation’.
Nay Myo Zin was arrested on April 2 by the Special Police Branch at his home in South Dagon Township without an arrest warrant, sources said. He was detained in the Aungthabyay Interrogation Centre in Mayangone Township and was not allowed to contact his family until 31 days after his arrest.
Finally, his father, mother and wife were alllowed to visit him in Insein Prison. His mother said that Nay Myo Zin was in good health and a hearing would be held on May 5.
‘He seemed calm. But, I couldn’t guess what he felt in his heart. He told me he didn’t need to worry because he didn’t do anything bad’, his mother said.
Section 376, Chapter VIII of the Constitution says no person should be held in custody for more than 24 hours without being taken before a magistrate.
The Asian Human Rights Commission issued a statement in late April that urged the Burmese authorities to handle the case in accordance with the Constitution.
Nay Myo Zin’s younger brother told Mizzima that the Special Police Branch seized Nay Myo Zin’s laptop, mobile phone and about US $50 when he was arrested, and have not returned the belongings to his family.
His colleagues from the blood donation group, which regularly donated blood to government hospitals, held a prayer vigil at the Shwedagon Pagoda for his release. They made blood donations in hospitals in Rangoon in honour Nay Myo Zin.
Presently, the National League for Democracy is trying to provide legal advice and help to hire a lawyer, a colleague from the South Dagon blood donation group told Mizzima.
Nay Myo Zin, 35, an active charity worker, resigned from the army as a captain in 2005.
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