Jul 21, 2008 (DVB), Seven National League for Democracy members who were arrested prior to Martyrs’ Day have been released now that the day has passed, according to one of those held.

Five of the members , Rangoon NLD social welfare member Ko Myint Htay, Shwe Pyi township member Ma Htet Htet Oo Wei, New Dagon township youth wing member Ko The Han and social welfare member U Thein Myint Htun and Khayan township youth wing member Ko Win Myint Maung , were released on Sunday afternoon, three days after they were taken in by authorities, who detained them in the office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Two other members , private tutor U Aung Pe of Ton Tay township and South Okkalapa NLD member Ko Kyaw Zeya , who were detained on Friday evening, were released on Saturday evening.

Despite the timing of the arrests, immediately prior to Martyrs' Day on 19 July, Ko The Han said that the officials' questions had not focused on political activities.

"While we were in detention, each of us was interrogated separately by unknown government officials , the session I went through lasted for the whole night," Ko The Han said.

"They asked me nothing about my political activities , just about my personal life, such as my family members’ personal details and my business."

Ko The Han said his interrogators had also asked him questions about drugs.

"They asked me if I had seen anyone who trades or uses drugs in my ward and also if I had taken any of those amphetamine pills myself. I told them I was only a political activist and that I didn’t even smoke cigarettes," he said.

"Then they said they were only trying to get us to cooperate with them in fighting drugs in the community. The session finished early in the morning, before 7am."

Ko The Han said the interrogation team was from the Western Rangoon Special Narcotic Force.

Reporting by DVB