Breaking News / Information Release

10 February 2010

Dear All

Burmese American citizen,  Kyaw Zaw Lwin (aka Ko Nyi Nyi Aung), was sentenced to five years imprisonment  this morning. He has been sentenced to three years under section 468 of the Penal Code and to one year under Section 24 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act and one year under Section 6(3) of the Residents of Burma Registration Rule. A known political activist, he was arrested on 3 September 2009 by authorities at Rangoon’s international airport shortly after arriving on a flight from Bangkok. His trial took place in a special closed court session inside Insein Prison. The sentencing judge was U Nyo Tun.  Ko Nyi Nyi Aung  was represented by High Court Advocates Kyi Win and Nyan Win, the two lawyers who also represent 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Detail profile >>> Updated on 8 Dec, 2009 pdf

Background

Kyaw Zaw Lwin is a 40-year-old male who was born in Burma and is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. During interrogation he was brutally tortured and during his detention went on hunger strike to protest over  prisoners’ rights.

* Penal Code, Section 468 – Forgery: Forgery of purpose of cheating (3 years max.)

* Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, Section 24 – For possession of Burmese currency exceeding value of $US2000

-ENDS-

For media interviews, please contact:
Tate Naing, Secretary: +66 (0) 81-287-8751
Bo Kyi, Joint-Secretary: +66 (0) 81-324-8935

Download PDF >>>(in English)