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NLD Statement 35/2000:

National League for Democracy
No: (97/B), West Shwegonedine Road
Bahan Township, Rangoon

Statement 35 (3/00) (translation)

Contents of letter sent by the Chairman of the National League for Democracy to the Chairman of the SPDC and the Chief Justice on the 21 March 2000 is reproduced for information.

Start - Subject - Illegal arrest of a member of Parliament and designs for further imprisonment. 1. On 14 March 2000, U Min Swe who was elected to parliament in free and fair elections by the constituents of No 2 constituency, Pyapon District, Irrawaddy Division and his son Ko Myo Min Swe were given no reason but were required to attend at the Police station. They were accused of taking 70,000 Kyats worth of liquor from one Maung Maung, a total stranger, without making any payment.

2. U Min Swe denied the charge and asked that he be allowed to confront Maung Maung , his accuser. The police refused. This Maung Maung is in fact a person closely associated with the Military Intelligence and one who was seeking personal advantage.

3. The case was heard the next day (15 March 2000). According to the complaint U Min Swe and his son Ko Myo Min Swe were accused of taking over Kyats 70,000 worth of liquor from the shop on the 10 March 1999 without making any payment and were charged under Section 409 of the Penal Code. At the time the offence was alleged to have been committed, U Min Swe was undergoing a sentence of 3 years and 9 months imprisonment for violating Section 22 and 23 of the Private Tuition Law. U Min Swe is an honest retired teacher and of good repute. It is transparently clear that the charge is false and trumped up designed to damage the reputation of a Member of Parliament. We seriously ask that proper investigation be honestly made and that appropriate action be taken urgently.

Central Executive Committee
National League for Democracy

Rangoon
22 March 2000