Information Release
October 5, 2005

On September 30, 2005, members of the notorious "Scorpion Gang" attacked U Aung Phay, a political prisoner of Block Five in Insein Prison. They also destroyed his personel belongings.

Prison authorities reportedly didn't take any action following the attack.

Aung Phay was a private tuition teacher in Ton Tay Township, Rangoon Division. On February 12, 2005, He went to the Independence Monument and saluted it. February 12th is Union Day in Burma. He also explained to his students about Aung San, the architect of Burma's independence. He was arrested after those events; however, the authorities charged him under section 23 of private tuition law. On August 25, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

The Scorpion Gang was organized by wealthy young criminals, including a grandson of Ne Win, the former Burmese dictator. Most of the gang's members were arrested in early 2002. These individuals reportedly bribe prison authorities in order to abuse other prisoners.

This gang attack on a political prisoner is not an isolated incident. On August 24, they beat Tun Tun and he was seriously injured.

Assistance Associaiton for Political Prisoners (Burma)