Myanmar Arrests Journalist, Celebrities For 'Incitement'
Written by Nathan Matsko
Bellefonte-Authorities in Myanmar have arrested a journalist and several celebrities for social media posts, says Radio Free Asia.
Kyaw Min Swe was arrested after posting a black square on his social media page. The gesture was allegedly done to mourn the deaths of over a hundred civilians who were killed in airstrikes conducted by Myanmar’s military junta.
The military strike reportedly targeted a group of civilians taking part in a gathering of opponents to the Junta in a village to the North of Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. As reported by NPR, a Junta fighter jet dropped a bomb into the crowd, killing most of those in attendance. As bodies were being recovered and the wounded were being assisted, military helicopters reportedly arrived and began firing on additional civilians. Between 20 and 30 children were allegedly among the dead.
The Junta claims that the attack was strictly targeting anti-government fighters and denies claims that civilians were the primary target.
Kyaw Min Swe was not the only person taken in during this most recent round of arrests. Actress May Pa Chi and vocalists Shwe Yi Thein Tan and May La Than Sin were also arrested for similar displays on social media.
The accused allegedly violated Article 505 (a), which outlaws anything that could be considered ‘incitement’ or the spreading of ‘false news’. The law has been frequently cited and used by the Junta since it took power, with dozens of journalists becoming the target of arrest. If convicted, those in violation stand to spend two to three years in jail, at least. In some cases, journalists have been charged with more serious crimes such as sedition or terrorism, especially if they show any support for pro-democracy or anti-government movements and militias.
Myanmar’s military took power just over two years ago in a coup that saw worldwide condemnation and media attention. On the two-year anniversary of the takeover earlier this year, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom imposed a series of sanctions on the Military Junta and personnel associated with it. Though vehemently opposed by most Western nations, Russia and China have maintained close ties with the government.
Since the coup, military rulers have cracked down on any signs of dissent. Any protests are routinely met with lethal force. Those who are taken into custody are often subject to torture and lengthy prison sentences.
In response, several militias operate within the country to fight the military’s oppressive policies with lethal force of their own. Falling under the umbrella term of People’s Defense Forces (PDF), these groups stand in stark opposition to the Junta and often use guerilla tactics and homemade weapons to fight back. It is estimated that there are upwards of 65,000 resistance fighters active in Myanmar as of late last year.