A man who stayed behind the bars longer than Mandela did
U Soe Myint spent over 29 years in prison as a political prisoner. Now, He has knee problems and kidney disease due to the tortures during interrogation, long imprisoned life, nutrition problem, suffocating and repression in prison. U Soe Myint was born in Zayat Hla Village, Yay Kyi Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region on 11 April 1953. His parents are U Maung Phat and Daw Ohn. He is the second child among three. He studied Veterinary Science until final year, part II. For the first time, he participated in 74/75/75 student movement and also participated in Burma Communist Party. He was charged under section 5(a), 5 (e), 5 (j)/ 34 for his involvement in 1987 student movement and detained for two years. He was arrested for the second time in 1981 while he and his communist party fought with military troops in the battle ground. He was sentenced to total 8 years imprisonments including 3 years imprisonment under section 17(1/2) and another 3 years imprisonment under section 124(a) for sedition. He was arrested for the third time in November 1991 for his participation together with Burma Communist Part in 8888 Uprising. In 1992, Court-Martial of North Yangon District sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment under section 17 (1). He was sued again in the prison for his inside political movements and sentenced to additional 12 years imprisonment under section 6 and 5 (e). U Soe Myint is one of the prisoners who had longest imprisoned life.