Mar 6, 2009 (DVB), Well-known central court activist lawyer, Aung Thein, has been released from Irrawaddy's Pathein prison, while another lawyer Khin Maung Shein was released from Myaung Mya prison.

The two lawyers were sentenced to four months' imprisonment each last year November for contempt of court.

"This is going into our country's history; the government have jailed a lawyer for speaking out his opinion, about having no confidence in a judicial system where courts no longer hold balanced trials," Aung Thein said.

"This is a highly inappropriate act. They sentenced me so quickly, the day after they filed the charge upon me," he said.

"Actually I still haven't seen the verdict on my sentence , I might have a look at it when I get home."

Meanwhile, youth lawyer Nyi Nyi Htway, who was given a six month sentence in October, remains in prison while another lawyer, Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min, is still in hiding.

Pho Phyu, another activist lawyer who was arrested by authorities in Magwe while defending a labour activist earlier this year, remains in detention without being charged.

Reporting by Aye Nai