Jul 9, 2008 (DVB), Families of 88 generation student leaders currently being held in Insein prison are growing increasingly concerned about the deteriorating health of their relatives in detention.

Ko Myo Yan Naung Thein, one of the leaders of the 88 generation students group, was brought onto Insein prison court yesterday for a hearing on a stretcher, according to a member of his family.

Another prominent leaders of the group, Ko Ko Gyi, has been suffering from a weak digestive system, and has only been able to eat boiled rice for the past three months, his younger brother Ko Aung Htun told DVB.

"He can only eat boiled rice or other very soft things such as noodles and bread," said Aung Htun.

"His liver is also getting weak again."

Ko Ko Gyi has previously suffered from liver stones and hepatitis B, but recent tests by Insein prison doctors showed that his hepatitis infection had not recurred.

"But they assumed his digestive problem was due to his weak liver and they gave him some medicine for it," Aung Htun said.

"He has been very careful with his own health and diet because he has not been provided with adequate medical attention."

Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet