At Daik-U Prison in Daik-U Town, Bago Region, 17 political prisoners are being held in solitary confinement with their legs shackled, according to the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM).

The PPNM reported on October 11 that the inmates had committed no crime but were unilaterally accused by prison authorities of organizing a rally and subsequently placed in solitary confinement.

Ko Thike Tun Oo, a steering committee member of the PPNM, said the problem began when an inmate serving time for another offense bullied a political prisoner.

“The political prisoners went to the prison authorities to ask them to address the bullying case. But instead, the authorities accused them of holding an unauthorized rally and put everyone who made the complaint in solitary confinement,” he told NMG.

PPNM is urging the immediate release of these political prisoners from solitary confinement. The 17 political prisoners were split into one group of five and two groups of six and have been held in solitary confinement since October 2. They have also been denied visits from their family members.

Those wrongfully held in solitary confinement at Daik-U Prison are Nyan Lin Naing, Thae Oo Paing, Khant Nya Thu, Ko Lin, Kyaw Lin Maung, Zaw Myo, Shan Lay, Min Naing Tun (aka Kyat Pha Gyi), Kyaw Thura Win (aka Kyaw Gyi), Zaw Min Htike, Myo Gyi, Zaw Gyi, Zaw Myo Htike, Htet Lin, Zin Ko Phyo, Ar Kar Min and Bu Thi, all aged between their 20s and 40s.