Prison authorities have been transferring political prisoners from Taung Lay Lon Prison in southern Shan State to other penitentiaries, a move that coincided with an attempted escape by some inmates in Nyaung Shwe Township back in March.

“Prior to the prison break, authorities had relocated some political prisoners to Insein Prison in Yangon in March. Subsequently, more political prisoners were transferred to Insein, Thayawaddy (Bago Region), and Obo Prison (in Mandalay),” disclosed an anonymous lawyer to SHAN. Additionally, some regular prisoners not convicted of political offences have been sent to the notorious prison labour camps, the lawyer added.

Ko Khine Myint Tun, who is also known as Shwe Lin Thit or Maw Si, was among those transferred to Obo Prison, according to a family member who informed SHAN. Khine Myint Tun, a reporter for a Shan State media group, received a 10-year sentence for violating Burma’s notorious Counter Terrorism Act, Article 51 (c).

“I am unaware of whether any other political prisoners were transferred alongside Maw Si,” the family member said, expressing uncertainty about the reasons behind the transfers.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has reported that 4,056 people have been killed since the coup, with a total of 24,740 individuals arrested. Of these, at least 7,262 people have already been sentenced.