Sao Oo Kya, a detained ethnic Shan activists, was amongst those freed by the junta this Friday. He was originally sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Below is an article published by Shan Herald:

One of the detained ethnic Shan activists, Sao Oo Kya, elder brother of Khun Htun Oo, the leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), was among the 7,114 prisoners freed by the junta on Friday [18 September 2009], according to sources.

He was reported to have returned home at 10:00 (Burmese standard time) on Saturday [19 September 2009] as soon as he was freed from Obo prison in Mandalay, said a source.

 “He looks still well and strong although suffering from gout and piles,” he said.

Sao Oo Kya was arrested on 3 August 2005 for unauthorized meetings with foreigners and defamation of the State. He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

However, the rest of his colleagues who were charged with treason and defamation of the state were still in prison. The said leaders were:
•           Maj-Gen Hso Ten                             106 years                       Khamti prison
•           Khun Tun Oo (Hkun Htun Oo)            93 years                        Putao prison
•           Sai Nyunt Lwin                                 85 year                          Kalay, Sagaing division
•           Sai Hla Aung                                    79 years                        Kyaukphyu prison
•           U Myint Than                                    79 years                       Sandoway prison
•           U Tun Nyo                                        79 years                       Buthidaung prison
•           U Nyi Nyi Moe                                    79 years                       Pakokku prison
•           Sai Myo Win Tun                               79 years                       Myingyan prison

One of their colleagues “Math” Myint Than died on 2 May 2006 in Sandoway prison.

Sao Oo Kya was one of the members of the Shan State Technical Consultative Council formed by the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ in late 2004. The council collapsed after the arrests in February 2005.