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AFP-Jailed Myanmar dissident commit



Subject: AFP-Jailed Myanmar dissident commits suicide: junta

Myanmar-death
   Jailed Myanmar dissident commits suicide: junta

   BANGKOK, June 2 (AFP) - A jailed Myanmar dissident belonging to Aung San
Suu Kyi's pro-democracy opposition has committed suicide in his cell, the
government said Wednesday.
   The junta said Hla Khin, 43, who was jailed under the country's 1975
anti-subversion laws, died in the capital's notorious Insein prison.
   "He was found to have committed suicide by hanging himself with his
longyi
(sarong) in his cell room where he was sharing with a cell mate who was
asleep
during that time," the statement said.
   It said Hla Khin was a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy (NLD).
   The statement, which did not say when Hla Khin was imprisoned, said he
committed suicide on Monday after what it said was a long battle with
alcoholism.
   His death and the circumstances surrounding it could not be independently
confirmed.
   Exiled opposition sources in Bangkok were unable to provide further
details
on Hla Khin.
   The NLD won more than 80 percent of parliamentary seats in Myanmar's 1990
elections but the junta has refused to loosen its iron grip on power.
   It has imprisoned hundreds of the party's MPs and members and driven
thousands of democracy activists into exile.
   de/col/rob/