Authorities have arrested five members of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, a spokesman said on Tuesday, a day after the UN called for the release of 2,100 political prisoners.
Among those arrested was Kyi Lwin, who has not been an active party member since suffering a stroke a year ago, said Han Tha Myint, spokesman of the National League for Democracy. Police took him from his home on Sunday without explaining why.
"We have no clue at all why they were arrested," said Han Tha. "Families were told that authorities are taking them for questioning."
Four others arrested between March 6-13 include Myint Myint San, also known as Ma Cho, a member of the party's Social Support Committee, which helps support political prisoners and their families. The three others are Sein Hlaing, Shwe Gyo and Thein Lwin, who are active party members, the spokesman said.
In recent months, the junta has locked away pro-democracy activists in an apparent attempt to clear away dissent before a general election promised for 2010. Military courts have sentenced hundreds of pro-democracy activists to harsh prison terms of up to 104 years.