A member of the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) Central Committee, Ko Thet Tun Oo, has revealed that political prisoners held in the special (A/B) ward of Thayawady Prison in Bago Region are facing life-threatening intimidation and physical abuse from a convicted murderer known as Pyuu Gyi. The criminal inmate, who is serving a long-term sentence, has been working in collaboration with prison authorities to systematically torture and abuse political prisoners, even boasting about his willingness to commit murders on behalf of prison officials.
In 2024, Pyuu Gyi attempted to sexually exploit an LGBT political prisoner named Ko Ye Yint (aka) Ye Ye in special ward B, room 11, and beat him until his head was split open. Following this incident, Pyuu Gyi has targeted other political prisoners who demanded justice for this assault, subjecting them to further abuse and torture. Working in conjunction with prison staff, he has been taking political prisoners to designated beating areas where they are subjected to systematic torture and abuse. The situation has created severe concern for the safety and well-being of political prisoners within Thayawady Prison.
The human rights and prisoner rights violations within Thayawady Prison involve Prison Warden Ye Yint Naing, Deputy Warden U Phyo Way Oo, Officer U Than Win, and criminal inmate Pyuu Gyi, who serves as an enforcer for the prison administration. PPNM has stated that they will continue to investigate and identify other individuals involved in these abuses. Pyuu Gyi, who was previously sentenced to death for murder and robbery, was transferred from Mandalay’s Obo Prison to Thayawady Prison, where he has become a close associate of Prison Warden Ye Yint Naing. The network emphasizes their commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators, whether they are directing or carrying out these abuses, will be held accountable for their actions when justice is restored.
