Political prisoner killed, seven others injured in Pathein Prison riot

07 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 January 2023, Pathein

One political prisoner died and seven others were injured in a riot at Pathein Prison in the capital of Ayeyarwady Region on Friday, according to prison sources.

Prison guards and inmates came to blows as some political prisoners attempted to stage a protest over persecution in the penitentiary, a prison source confirmed.

“Political prisoners were preparing to stage a protest over harsh prison disciplines. The prison governor ordered guards to beat inmates. Inmates were heavily injured, and prison guards only suffered minor injuries,” the source told DMG.

Junta troops and police were subsequently dispatched to the prison and fired shots, killing a political prisoner and seriously wounding seven others, the source added.

The slain victim was identified as Ko Wai Yan Phyo, who had been given 28 years in prison for anti-junta activities. The seven injured were still receiving treatment at Pathein Hospital on Saturday, according to those assisting political prisoners.

“Seven others are still receiving treatment and are on the critical list,” said a source.

The riot at the prison in Pathein started after guards confiscated a mobile phone from an inmate on Thursday night and took disciplinary action, the junta said in a statement.

Some 70 inmates and detainees damaged property and attempted to attack prison staff on Friday morning, said the statement. Security forces fired warning shots using anti-riot weapons, and put down the riot using sticks and shields, the statement added, confirming that an inmate was killed and saying 63 inmates and detainees were injured when they beat each other.

The regime has banned food deliveries to Pathein Prison as of Saturday, according to relatives of inmates.

“We don’t know yet when we will be allowed to send packages again,” said a family member of an inmate in Pathein.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners also released a statement on Friday, condemning grave human rights violations inside Pathein Prison.

More than 450 political prisoners are serving time in Pathein Prison, along with some detainees who are behind bars while they stand trial.