Family visits banned for Letpadan activists

Family visits banned for Letpadan activists
Thirty-five activists facing charges for their involvement in the Letpadan education protest have been banned from receiving visits
in Tharawaddy prison amid allegations of family members smuggling prohibited items to their loved ones in jail.
According to local resident and activist supporter, Kyaw Naing Oo, the Tharawaddy prisoners were discovered carrying cigarettes and
betel quid, a cigarette substitute comprised of ground areca nut, tobacco and lime wrapped in a betel leaf, as they were returning
from a court hearing on 16 June.
"After the court hearing last Tuesday, the students brought back cigarettes. For that, the officials accused them of bringing
prohibited items into the prison and sought disciplinary action against them," said Kyaw Naing Oo on Wednesday.
"According to the prison manual, the prison authorities are to provide the prisoners with cigarettes," said the lawyer.
"I was released in 2010 and as of then, the prisoners were still allowed betel quid but now the officials are saying it is a
'prohibited item'. I view this as an obstruction of personal freedom and a violation of human rights."

Ref: dvb.no