Monk leader U Gambira’s father released

Democratic Voice of Burma
Wed 5 Dec 2007

The father of high-profile monk U Gambira, U Min Lwin, who was detained along with his son a month ago, has now been released, according to a family member.

Min Lwin and U Gambira were arrested by officers from the police information force and other government officials in Sintgaing township, Mandalay division, on 4 November, together with a third man named Ko Mondine.

U Gambira, the leader of the All-Burma Monks Alliance, was arrested for his involvement in the monk-led demonstrations in August and September.

He has been held at Insein prison since his arrest, while his father has been detained at New Mandalay prison.

After being held for one month, Min Lwin was released at around 11pm on 3 December.

Ko Mondine and two other men from Mandalay division, Pyone Cho from Ma Hlaing township, and Khin Maung Soe From Htone Bo township, were released at the same time.

Ko Mondine, Pyone Cho and Khin Maung Soe had been arrested for delivering money to U Gambira.

Min Lwin said he did not want to talk about his prison experiences in detail.

“I’m very happy that I can meet my family again,” he said.

He said that he would now seek justice for his sons U Gambira and Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who was arrested in Rangoon on 17 October.

U Gambira and Aung Kyaw Kyaw both remain in detention.

Aung Kyaw Kyaw is the younger brother of U Gambira and secretary of the National League for Democracy in Pauk township, Magwe division.