Burma Extends Detention of NLD Leader

By AP and THE IRRAWADDY

Burma's military government on Friday extended the house arrest of Tin Oo, the deputy leader of Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party.

Several policemen were seen visiting Tin Oo's house to inform him that the restrictions had been extended, according to a neighbor who asked not to be named for fear of government reprisal.

The extension was for one year, said a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release such information. Burma's junta tightly controls the release of all news.

Tin Oo, 82, the vice chairman of the National League for Democracy, was arrested with Suu Kyi in May 2003, when a pro-government mob attacked their motorcade as they were making a political tour of northern Burma. Both party leaders have been in either prison or under house arrest since then.

Meanwhile two elected members of parliament from the NLD were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on Friday by the notorious Insein Prison special court, according to their family members.

Nyi Pu, a elected member of parliament from Gwa Township, Arakan State, and Dr Tin Min Htut, a elected member of parliament from Pantanaw Township, Irrawaddy Division, were convicted of three charges, including the State Offence Act 505 B, said Khine Win Hlaing, one of Dr Tin Min Htut’s sons.

The two parliamentary members were arrested and detained on August 12 last year.

“No lawyer was allowed to represent them in the special court,” Khine Win Hlaing said.

According to Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners—Burma, 2,137 political activists and their supporters are currently being held in prisons across Burma.