NLD youth member reported dead in custody - Aung Moe Lwin

Oct 1, 2008 (DVB)–Aung Moe Lwin, a 36-year-old youth member of the National League for Democracy in Natmauk township, Magwe division, is said to have died in detention, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

His family has been informed of his death.

Aung Moe Lwin went to Rangoon last year for training before the Saffron Revolution in September and stayed at Maggin monastery, where became friendly with the monks and helped look after AIDS patients.

He stayed with the monks during the demonstrations up until the monastery was sealed off and was interviewed about the arrests and beatings of monks in the crackdown.

When he suddenly disappeared from South Dagon at the beginning of August, people assumed he had gone to another monastery, as he had made friends with monks from other monasteries and stayed with them on previous occasions.

It did not become clear that Aung Moe Lwin had been arrested until a fellow detainee who had been released said that he had seen him being tortured in prison and that he was in a serious condition.

Once his arrest and detention was made public, his family expected that he would be transferred to Insein prison where they could come and visit him.

But five days ago, Aung Moe Lwin’s brother in Kyaukpadaung received a telephone call from an unnamed person who informed him that Aung Moe Lwin and another person from Meikhtila had died from an ‘over-zealous hand’ during interrogation.

On hearing this, Aung Moe Lwin’s parents went to the Rangoon divisional office where their son was last known to have been held, but they were told by an official that he was not there.

Aung Moe Lwin’s father U Thein Aung said he was determined to find out what happened to his son.

"I am proud of my son and I allowed him to do good things for the public,” U Thein Aung said.

“I will look for him until I find him. I don't think it will be easy, but I will search until I find him," he said.

“I won't give up until I find him. It is necessary to uncover the truth and I will continue to do so."

U Thein Aung arrived in Rangoon today, and has been to Rangoon divisional office, Kyeemyintaing court and Insein prison.

So far his investigations have met with denials from the authorities.

"The authorities have only said, ‘We don't know and he is not here’," U Thein Aung said.

"I want them to tell me where he is and what happened but they are hiding it, it is hard to cope with."

U Thein Aung said he had told his wife that their son was missing and wants his case to be treated as a missing person, feared dead, until the facts are established.

Reporting by DVB