Two political prisoners, including Saw Shwe Aung, were killed and more than five others were injured due to shooting by the Prison Department at Magway Prison, according to Ko Thet Tun Oo, a leading committee member of the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). On the evening of April 13, fighting broke out between revolutionary forces and military council troops near Magway Prison, while tensions and confrontations also occurred inside the prison between prison staff and inmates. The shooting by prison staff from the prison entrance and watchtower resulted in the death of at least two political prisoners and injuries to many political prisoners and other inmates.
Political prisoners inside the prison maintain strong spirits for the success of the revolution, but those sentenced to death and life imprisonment particularly desire to be freed as soon as possible. Whenever they hear sounds of battles and gunfire from outside the prison, inmates live with hope that someone will come to rescue them, Ko Thet Tun Oo explained. Currently, the military is conducting investigations of political prisoners inside the prison, and some prison staff were also injured during confrontations between prisoners and prison staff.
Furthermore, Ko Thet Tun Oo suggested that revolutionary forces should systematically plan prison breaks to ensure political prisoners are not harmed in the process. He emphasized that special consideration should be given to ensuring the safe escape of political prisoners when breaking prison gates during urban offensive operations. The planning and execution of such operations should prioritize the safety and successful liberation of political prisoners.
