The coup junta in Myanmar is conducting frequent transfers of political prisoners across the nation, according to the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM).
On July 21, junta authorities moved 260 male and female political prisoners from Insein Prison in Yangon Region to the notorious Daik-U and Thayarwaddy prisons in Bago Region.
Similarly, in June, over 240 political prisoners from Kyaikmaraw Central Prison in Mon State and Obo Prison in Mandalay were relocated to the same facilities.
PPNM spokesperson Ko Thaik Tun Oo informed the Than Lwin Times that the transfers are intended to prevent prison riots and disrupt unity among the inmates.
"June 19 marked State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday, while July 7 and 19 are also significant political dates. July 23 marks the anniversary of the junta's execution of Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw. Historically, August 8, the 8888 movement anniversary, and the 2222 movement anniversary on February 22 have seen protests and uprisings in prisons. To prevent these occurrences, the junta and prison administration are working together to undermine the unity of the inmates," he said.
Daik-U and Thayarwaddy prisons are infamous for the physical beatings and torture of political prisoners. Reports also suggest covert killings of prisoners taken outside these facilities.
According to a report by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), approximately 27,000 political prisoners have been arrested by the junta for various reasons across the country, with over 20,000 still in detention.
