By Nway / MPA
Ko Thura Aung, a political prisoner held in Thayarwady Prison in Bago Region, reportedly died of a heart attack while in custody.
Known by the nickname Ko Kula Gyi, Thura Aung was serving a three-year sentence under Penal Code Section 23(a) in the men’s ward four. His death on Jan. 5 was reported by the Political Prisoner Network – Myanmar (PPNM) on Friday, with junta-aligned prison authorities attributing it to a sudden cardiac arrest.
Ko Thike Htun Oo, a steering committee member of the Political Prisoner Network Myanmar (PPNM), told MPA, “The family was not allowed to attend the funeral, which was carried out by the prison administration.”
Ko Thura Aung was only 32 years old at the time of his death. According to PPNM, he was reportedly healthy and had no known heart-related issues prior to his arrest.
“Prison authorities claim he died of a sudden heart attack, but since our organization cannot conduct direct investigations inside the prison, it is difficult to confirm this. We call on organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross to monitor prison healthcare conditions and ensure that families are promptly informed of deaths or critical health situations. All prisoners must have access to proper healthcare,” Thike Htun Oo added.
On Jan.10, another political prisoner, Ko Myo Min Oo, died of kidney disease in Daik-U Prison, marking the second political prisoner death in early 2025.
