Among the more than 550 prisoners who were transferred from Insein Prison to Thayarwaddy Prison, political and drug cases were the most involved. On May 9, 330 male prisoners and 235 female prisoners from Insein Prison were transferred to Tharyarwaddy Prison, said U Tun Kyi, a member of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
“They were moved yesterday. We don’t know exactly how many are political and drug cases. It’s difficult to investigate because the information is kept in the dark. Those who were transferred for drug cases are not big hands. They were arrested with a small amount of drugs and only those who couldn’t give money were moved. Those who can give money are kept in the hospital ward of Insein prison,” U Tun Kyi said.
He said that the act of transferring political prisoners to other prisons is purposely making it difficult not only for the political prisoners but also for their family members.
“They (SAC) are moving the prisoners who were abducted and arrested illegally easily. They sent them intentionally and with malice,” U Tun Kyi said.
U Tun Kyi said that the AAPP is very concerned about the lives and health of the political prisoners who have been transferred to Tharyarwaddy Prison.
“At Insein Prison, there is a riot prevention and suppression team led by four prison wardens. That team gathers news about what political prisoners say and what they are doing from the prisoners they have raised. They target the political prisoners who demand their rights and move them to other prisons,” U Tun Kyi said.
When political prisoners who have been transferred to a new prison arrive at the new prison, they are often beaten by prisoners who are in charge of the ward appointed by the prison authorities, according to the instructions of the prison authorities.