The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) Central Committee member Ko Thet Tun Oo has confirmed that at least 50 political prisoners were injured after being brutally beaten by authorities at Obo Prison following their transfer from Monywa Prison. The incident occurred on the morning of June 12, resulting in serious injuries to the political prisoners’ heads, arms, and backs, with some cases raising concerns for their lives.
Approximately 200 prisoners, including both political prisoners and criminal offenders, arrived at Mandalay’s Obo Prison around noon. They were transported in five trucks, carrying about 150 male prisoners and several female prisoners. Upon arrival at the prison entrance, nearly all transferred prisoners were violently beaten by prison staff and police officers using rubber batons and wooden clubs. Reports indicate that the beatings were justified by authorities citing security concerns and difficulties encountered during the transfer journey.
Ko Thet Tun Oo pointed out that Mandalay’s Obo Prison has a history of numerous violations, including in-custody deaths and serious management failures. He emphasized the need for both relevant authorities and revolutionary forces to take effective punitive action against the prison staff and ensure justice is served. He specifically suggested that Mandalay-based revolutionary forces should arrest and detain these prison staff members and process them under the revolutionary government’s judicial system.
Furthermore, the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) has issued a warning that there are plans to further transfer prisoners from Mandalay’s Obo Prison to Myingyan and Magway prisons. Ko Thet Tun Oo strongly emphasized that such inhumane torture of prisoners and beatings that threaten their lives are completely unacceptable, and those responsible will be identified and held accountable. The network continues to monitor the situation and advocate for the rights and safety of political prisoners under detention.
