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NCGUB Statement on Death in Custody



NATIONAL  COALITION  GOVERNMENT OF THE  UNION  OF  BURMA
815 Fifteenth Street NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20005
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DEATH IN CUSTODY - LEO NICHOLS
 
Leo Nichols, 65, who served as honourary consul for Norway and 
contact person for Denmark and Sweden, died on 22 June at 11 
a.m. at the Rangoon General Hospital. He was buried on 23 Jnne 
at 2 p.m. at Saw Ba Gyi Christian cemetery near Insein Prison. 
Friends and family were told not to attend the funeral, About 40 
persons, mostly military intelligence agents, were present at 
the cemetery. 
 
Friends are planning to hold a Roman Catholic memorial service 
for 'Uncle Leo' next Saturday but have not yet received 
permission to do so from the State Law and Order Restoration 
Council. 
 
Cause of death according to a SLORC ordered autopsy was cerebral 
haemorrhage.  'Uncle Leo', a prominent businessman was arrested 
in early April for allegedly using telephones and fax machines 
without the permission of authorities. He was sentenced to 3 
years imprisonment on 18 May. It is known that 'Uncle Leo' was 
kept in solitary confinement from the time of his arrest. 
Although he suffered from a heart condition, he was denied his 
medication all the time he was in custody. Leo Nichols was 
transferred from solitary confinement to an ordinary cell on 20 
June. He was transferred to the prison hospital on 21 June and 
the next day to Rangoon General Hospital where he died 1 hour 
after his arrival 
 
'Uncle Leo' was a close friend of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's family 
but had no formal ties with the NLD. According to NLD sources, 
'Uncle Leo', on occasion lent Daw Aung San Suu Kyi the use of 
his car. 
 
SLORC cannot deny responsibility for the death in custody of Leo 
Nichols. Whatever the cause of his death, SLORC is responsible. 
SLORC has no excuse for denying a 65-year old man medical 
attention while in custody, whatever his alleged crime.  
 
Leo Nichols' arrest for using 'illegal fax machines' for his 
business, his solitary confinement, his denial of medical 
attention while in custody, his 3-year prison sentence, his 
death and burial without benefit of friends and family, all 
serve to underline the essential lawlessness of the military 
regime that is currently ruling Burma against the expressed wish 
of her people. 
 
The National Coalition Government once again calls on the 
international community to step up action against SLORC before 
the lawless situation in Burma deteriorates further. 
 
For more information, Telephone: 1(202) 393-7342