Magway Prison: Jailer Threatens to Kill Inmates Without Bleeding, Torture and Abuse Ongoing for Months

Ayeyarwaddy Times June 29 In Magway Prison, Magway Region, prison officials, including the jailer under the interim government, are systematically torturing and abusing political prisoners, according to a statement released by the Prisoners of Conscience Network of Myanmar (PPNM). Jailer U Win Naing, the deputy jailer, and prison guards allegedly threatened inmates on April 27, saying, "We can kill you without bleeding; we will show you how to kill without bleeding," and have subjected political prisoners to prolonged abuse. Political prisoner Ko Aye Thein was reportedly verbally abused on May 14 when he requested medicine for leg pain. When other political prisoners intervened, Jailer Win Naing and his staff allegedly put shackles on the political prisoners and confined them in the hospital ward. Similarly, on May 31, political prisoners who tried to stop soldiers (alias Kyaw Myo Naing) and a person claiming to be a martial arts instructor from beating inmates were also confined, according to PPNM. "Some inmates have been confined since around 2025 and have not been allowed out of their cells. They have been enduring the punishment of solitary confinement for over six months, about seven months. As the period of confinement has dragged on for months, they are unable to move their lower bodies, are suffering psychological distress, and are facing life-threatening situations," a PPNM official told the Irrawaddy Times. The political prisoners subjected to unjust confinement in Magway Prison are Ko Kaung Myat, Ko Aung Chit Thi (alias Bo Gyi), Ko Chit Min Oo (alias Kyar Gyi), Ko Hein Htet Arkar Kyaw (alias Hauk Gyi), Ko Fatty, Ko Dein Daung, and Ko Phone Gyi. They are reportedly kept on concrete floors without bedding, given only one meal a day, and provided with only one cup of water at a time. Furthermore, on June 1, political prisoner Ko Khaw Ga Htan was beaten for allegedly not following instructions. When he went on a hunger strike in protest, he was forcibly transferred to the hospital ward where infectious tuberculosis patients are housed and subjected to further torture. Due to these circumstances, the health and lives of political prisoners in Magway Prison are a cause for grave concern. PPNM has stated that it will document the human rights violations by the prison authorities and strive to bring all perpetrators to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Photo – Internet