There is concern about the death in custody of James Leander Nichols, commonly known as Leo Nichols, who died on 22 June 1996 two months after his arrest. Leo Nichols, aged 65, suffered from diabetes, hypertension and heart problems. He was former honorary consul in Myanmar for Norway, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland. Amnesty International is seeking clarification from the authorities about whether he was receiving routine medication and medical attention while in detention, what was the exact cause of death, and the circumstances surrounding his death. Amnesty International is also calling for improvements in prison conditions at Insein prison, where he was held, and where conditions are known to be extremely harsh.
