detained ethnic Shan activists, Sao Oo Kya, elder brother of Khun Htun Oo, the leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), was among the 7,114 prisoners freed by the junta on Friday, according to sources. He was reported to have returned home at 10:00 (Burmese standard time) on Saturday as soon as he was freed from Obo prison in Mandalay, said a source.
“He looks still well and strong although suffering from gout and piles,” he said.
Sao Oo Kya was arrested on 3 August 2005 for unauthorized meetings with foreigners and defamation of the State. He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
However, the rest of his colleagues who were charged with treason and defamation of the state were still in prison. The said leaders were:
• Maj-Gen Hso Ten 106 years Khamti prison
• Khun Tun Oo (Hkun Htun Oo) 93 years Putao prison
• Sai Nyunt Lwin 85 year Kalay, Sagaing division
• Sai Hla Aung 79 years Kyaukphyu prison
• U Myint Than 79 years Sandoway prison
• U Tun Nyo 79 years Buthidaung prison
• U Nyi Nyi Moe 79 years Pakokku prison
• Sai Myo Win Tun 79 years Myingyan prison
One of their colleagues “Math” Myint Than died on 2 May 2006 in Sandoway prison.
Sao Oo Kya was one of the members of the Shan State Technical Consultative Council formed by the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ in late 2004. The council collapsed after the arrests in February 2005.
