Imprisoned Monk Leader Transferred

By THE IRRAWADDY

The prominent monk, Ashin Gambira, who was sentenced to 68 years imprisonment for his role in the 2007 uprising, was transferred on Saturday from Mandalay Prison to remote Hkamti Prison in Sagaing Division, according to his elder sister.

On Wednesday, Gambira’s mother and brother visited Mandalay Prison to check on the monk’s general health, but were told by prison authorities that he had been transferred him to Hkamti Prison. Family members are not usually informed about prison transfers in Burma.

Gambira’s sister said prison authorities had told them that Gambira had been well-treated before his transfer to Sagaing. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Ashin Gambira rose to prominence as a leading demonstrator in the monk-led protests of August-September 2007, which were brutally suppressed by the military regime.

He was sentenced to 68 years by a special court inside Rangoon’s Insein Prison in November 2008.

Gambira was convicted on several charges, including offences under Section 505 A and B of the State Offence Act, Section 13/1 of the Immigration Act, Section 17/1 of the Illegal Organization Act, Section 33 A of the Electronic Act and Section 6 of the Organization Act.

Meanwhile, two members of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions, Kyaw Ko Ko and Nyan Lin Aung, appeared in court in Mingalar Taung Nyut Township in Rangoon on Wednesday, according to a local source.

More than 200 Burmese dissidents were given prison sentences by Burmese courts in November 2008, about 136 of whom were transferred to prisons in isolated areas around Burma.