Oct 23, 2007 (DVB), Famous songwriter Ko Ye Lwin, who was arrested during protests at Sule pagoda junction last month, was released by authorities last Thursday after 21 days in detention.

Ko Ye Lwin said during an interview with DVB yesterday that he was arrested by government security forces on 27 September after he joined a group of protestors at Sule pagoda junction in the former capital Rangoon.

The protests were brutally suppressed by soldiers and riot police who beat up demonstrators and fired automatic weapons at them.

"I joined a group of protesters who were sitting and chanting metta peacefully at Sule pagoda junction on 27 September. Later I heard several gunshots and saw people running away from the scene," said Ko Ye Lwin.

"I remained seated on the spot until two government supporters came and arrested me," he said.

Ko Ye Lwin said he was taken to Rangoon city hall along with other protesters from different demonstrations across the city. He estimated that about 600-700 people had been brought to the city hall by the end of the day.

Ko Ye Lwin was later sent to the Government Technology College in Insein and then transferred to Insein prison due to overcrowding at the GTC compound.

"I was first kept in ward 5 of Insein prison, where they usually keep the political inmates. I had to share a cell with five or six other inmates there before we were transferred to another separate ward," he said.

Ko Ye Lwin also claimed he saw 88 generation student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Jimmy and Min Zeya, who were detained in a different ward, and had a chance to have a chat with them during shower-time. He also saw Ko Htay Kywe, who was held in the same prison before his release.

"We introduced ourselves during showers and they found out who I am. They were wondering how I got involved in the protests," he said.

Reporting by Htet Yazar