Burmese American citizenship holder Ko Nyi Nyi Aung@ Kyaw Zaw Lwin has had a family visit banned, by authorities.

When his family went to see him on 18 January 2010, jailor Kyaw Min Tun said they were not allowed to see him at that time, but they would be able to see him on 27 January. 27 January is also the day that Ko Nyi Nyi Aung will have his sentence read out in the court.

Then on 25 January an American Embassy staff member, who was informed by Burmese authorities, told the family that they will not be allowed to see Ko Nyi Nyi Aung on 27 January. When Ko Nyi Nyi Aung’s family asked the prison authorities about him, they were told that they won’t be allowed to visit him anymore.

The family was also told that the charges against Ko Nyi Nyi Aung will be re-examined, therefore judgment has been adjourned until 10 February 2010.

As the family has been denied a visit to Ko Nyi Nyi Aung, they are now very worried about him. Normally families can visit detainees under trial, once a week.

AAPP Secretary Ko Tate Naing said in regard to Ko Nyi Nyi Aung’s denial of family visit, “if you don’t have family visits, you can get malnourished and also you suffer mentally and it is torture to his family”.