For Immediate Release: July 6, 2005

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has learned that forty-three political prisoners have been released today from various prisons in Burma. Twenty-four political prisoners were released from Thayet, five from Myitkyina, seven from Myingyan, and seven from Kale.

While the AAPP welcomes the release of these political prisoners, it has also learned that five citizens in Burma were arrested on July 3, 2005 for listening to VOA and BBC broadcasts. Two of those known to be arrested were U Win Myint, a teashop owner, and Daw Ohn Kyi, owner of a small vegetable store. Both residents of Pegu (Bago) division, they were taken to Bago prison where they are still being detained. In the past, those found listening to foreign broadcasts have been sentenced to as much as seven years imprisonment.

The AAPP has learned the names of twenty-seven of those released. They are:

Thayet
1. Khin Maung Kyi
2. Kyi Toe
3. Hla Shwe
4. Myint Thein
5. Saw Myint
6. Zaw Zaw Latt
7. Wei Lu Kyaw (alias Sai Aung Aung)
8. Myint Ye
9. Ye Tun
10. Yin Tun
11. Bo Bo Han
12. Thet Zaw
13. Kyaw Zwa Linn
14. Ya Ma (Thet Htut Naing)
15. Win Hlaing (Win Naing)
16. Phyo Win Min
17. Soe Min Aung
18. Saw Kyay Daw
19. Mahn Nyunt Sein
20. Phado Than Hla
21. Saw Cho Lay
22. Saw Htoo Kwe
23. Saw Law Ale
24. Saw Thomas

Myitkyina
1. Dr. Khin Zaw Win
2. Sein Hla Oo

Myingyan
1. Tun Myint Aung

more information: Tate Naing (66) 1 287 8751
Bo Kyi (66) 1 324 8935