Dec 12, 2007 (DVB), Htin Kyaw, who has been detained since 25 August for his role in instigating fuel price protests that month, says he will continue his hunger strike until political prisoners are released.

Ma Than Than Maw, Htin Kyaw's wife, said Htin Kyaw was planning to limit his intake even further as he moves into the third week of his protest.

"He's only drinking coffee at the moment. He said he will start consuming only water from the fifteenth day of his hunger strike. He looked really thin and weak," he said.

Htin Kyaw was admitted to the prison hospital last week after six days without food.

Ma Than Than Maw said that her husband has now been charged and transferred to another detention facility.

"Ko Htin Kyaw was charged under section 505(b) of the penal code on the twelfth day of his hunger strike. He has been transferred to Pabadan township police station from Insein prison hospital."

"The police station chief said he would not be sent back into Insein prison."

Section 505(b) of the penal code forbids causing public alarm and inciting offences against the state or public tranquility and carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.

Htin Kyaw had previously urged the authorities to either charge him with a crime or release him.

Ma Than Than Maw said she fully supported her husband's actions.

"He said he would carry on with the hunger strike until all political prisoners have been released. He was really sad to see all the monks and detainees living in very poor conditions in the Insein prison," she said.

Reporting by Maung Too