PPNM issues statement alleging oppression and corruption at Pyapon Prison

Narinjara News, November 25, 2025

The Myanmar Political Prisoners Network (PPNM) released a statement today, November 25, disclosing evidence that the authorities, including the warden at Pyapon Prison in the Ayeyarwady Region, are involved in oppression and are accepting bribes from political detainees.

The report revealed, "When new inmates arrive at Pyapon Prison, the prison warden, Aung San Lin, and other officials require a payment of between three hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand kyats, depending on the financial situation of the inmates, either directly or via intermediaries like ward leaders as upkeep charges."

A ward leader is a senior inmate who holds a certain rank in the prison system.

It has been noted that inmates who cannot afford to pay the specified sum are coerced through various means by ward leaders and guards.

Additionally, it is reported that officers frequently use profanity, yell, and physically abuse inmates.

Notwithstanding these reports, it is claimed that prison director Zaw Htun Oo and warden Aung San Lin have failed to take any action.

PPNM asserts that the prison officials have granted the ward leaders complete power to mistreat, abuse, and attack inmates as they see fit.

The most serious instances of abuse were allegedly carried out by ward leaders Ye Aung (sentenced to 10 years for rape), Thet Wai Soe (also sentenced to 10 years), and Aung Thu (sentenced to 10 years for human trafficking), who are closely connected to the prison guards.

These ward leaders are said to gather donations under various pretexts, and PPNM claims that the abuse seems to be accepted as a part of official policy.