Aug 8, 2008 (DVB), Three All Burma Federation of Student Union members and a member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network have been arrested by Burmese government officials.

At least three ABFSU members, including one of the group’s leaders Ko Than Naing, who had been in hiding from government arrest, were arrested by authorities last night, according to a member of the group.

HRDP member U Myo Myint from Kyi Myint Taing township was arrested in the early hours of 7 August at his home, U Myint Aye of HRDP told DVB.

"He lives in a village across the river from the main Kyi Myint Taing township in Rangoon and he was arrested at his house at 1am," Myint Aye said.

"He was taken from his home by the authorities who also seized his camera and three CDs. We still don't know where he is being held and his family hasn't heard anything about him either," he said.

"Our group's work is nothing provocative; if [the authorities say] something has happened then I can find a way to explain it."

Myint Aye said that another HRDP member, Ko Tin Maung Oo from Bahan township, who is being held in Insein prison, has still not been allowed a family visit since his arrest in June.

"Ko Tin Maung Oo, a Bahan township resident, was arrested by authorities on 11 June 2008 and his family has only been able to send him food but not to visit him," Myint Aye said.

Myint Aye added that none of his belongings that he was carrying at the time of his arrest, which included a wristwatch, necklace, three rings, a mobile phone and a camera, had been returned to his family.

Reporting by Naw Say Phaw