| Junta frees U Win Tin |  |  |  |
| Mizzima News | ||||||
| Tuesday, 23 September 2008 13:24 | ||||||
Veteran journalist U Win Tin and two other political prisoners were among those released by the ruling junta on Tuesday, Burma's opposition party – National League for Democracy (NLD) – said. The 78-year-old journalist was reportedly released after having been detained for more than 19 years. In addition to U Win Tin, Dr. May Win Myint, an elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 1990 from Mayankone Township and Taungoo MP Aung Soe Myint Oo were also among those released, according to NLD spokesperson Nyan Win. Maung Maung Khin, a close friend of Win Tin who frequently visited him at Insein Prison, told Mizzima that he is now waiting to greet the freed veteran journalist at the gate to the prison. Interview with Maung Muang Khin, close friend of veteran journalist U Win Tin''He [U Win Tin] has not yet been released. He is currently at the gate of the prison. People who saw him say that both U Win Tin and Dr. May Win Myint, two long-term political prisoners, are together at the gate. ''I heard that at about 12:30 or 1 p.m. (local time) the authorities will give a speech and release them. When I analyze the information that I have received, it is almost certain that U Win Tin is to be released. ''As for us, since we heard that he has been released, we have to believe it. When I went to meet him on September 20 he already knew that some prisoners – such as the elderly and handicapped – would be released. However I argued with him, saying people arrested for political reasons should be released on political terms. ''In 2005, the authorities did something similar. They took him to the gate of the prison, gave speeches and provided lunch, but later took him back to the prison. ''I am awaiting telephone calls. If he is released I will bring him to my house, as my house is just opposite the prison gate. A lot of people are also waiting in front of my house.Interview with NLD information committee member Thein Nyunt '' Win Tin and Dr. May Win Maung are clients of mine whose cases I have handled. I am extremely happy to hear that they are released. As a lawyer, I want to say two things. No matter how they are released, I would like to see that my other fellow countrymen are released too. And hearing that other political prisoners are also among those released, I hope it is the beginning of a national reconciliation. ''Meanwhile, sources said Aye Thein, an elected Member of Parliament from the Thabeikkyin Township NLD, has also been released from Kale Prison in Upper Burma.'' Interview with NLD information committee member Thein Nyunt''U Win Tin and Dr. May Win Maung are clients of mine whose cases I have handled. I am extremely happy to hear that they are released. As a lawyer, I want to say two things. No matter how they are released, I would like to see that my other fellow countrymen are released too. And hearing that other political prisoners are also among those released, I hope it is the beginning of a national reconciliation. ''Meanwhile, sources said Aye Thein, an elected Member of Parliament from the Thabeikkyin Township NLD, has also been released from Kale Prison in Upper Burma.
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