Political prisoner Min Hein Khant, who was less than two years into a harsh 27-year imprisonment term, died of a heart attack aged just 21 at Yangon’s Insein Prison on Sunday.
He was reportedly admitted to the prison hospital due to his heart condition a week before his death. But on Sunday afternoon he suddenly collapsed and died while in the company of fellow inmates in the prison dormitory, according to a spokesperson for the Political Prisoners Network.
Min Hein Khant was in good health before his arrest but developed heart disease while in detention, according to sources close to him.
“He didn’t receive adequate medical treatment in the prison. He died because treatment was delayed due to the drawn-out reporting process that is required in order to receive emergency treatment in prison,” the spokesperson, a former political prisoner, told The Irrawaddy, adding that the lack of adequate medical services, including emergency treatment, in prisons led to lives being lost.
Min Hein Khant was arrested with eight others on Nov. 1, 2021 in Yangon’s Thingangyun Township in connection with the 44th Street incident in Botahtaung Township. In August of that year, junta troops stormed a 44th Street apartment, prompting five young anti-regime activists who were members of the Pazundaung Botahtaung Youth Strike Committee to jump from a four-story building rather than surrender to the raiding soldiers.
The incident left two of the five dead. The three survivors were taken into custody along with four others caught during the raid by the junta forces.
Min Hein Khant, who was a member of the Pazundaung Botahtaung Youth Strike Committee, was arrested following the incident. He was also accused of being a member of the Urban Guerilla Group and of involvement in guerrilla attacks in Yangon.
He was charged with incitement, terrorism and unlawful possession of an explosive.
A group that helps to send food parcels to political prisoners said that prior to being sentenced to a lengthy prison term, Min Hein Khant had told his friends repeatedly about how much he wanted to go home.
“We will stand for your hopeful homecoming wish. We bow to you from the furthest place,” the group said.
