Burma: Anti-Muslim activist arrested over remarks against Suu Kyi on Facebook

(File photo) Nay Myo Wai, center, chairman of Peace and Diversity party, talks with landless farmers in Burma. Pic: AP.

6th May 2016

ACCUSED of posting a provocative statement on Facebook, a prominent anti-Muslim activist in Burma was arrested after making comments against the nation’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and its army commander.

Nay Myo Wai, Peace and Diversity Party chairman, was arrested Wednesday after a complaint was filed against him for a Facebook post saying that army commander Min Aung Hliang had not seized power because he wanted to marry Suu Kyi, a baseless assertion.

Win Ko Ko Lat, chairman of Myanmar National Network, on Thursday described the arrest as unfair.

If convicted, Wai could face up to three years in jail and a fine on charges of using a telecommunications network to extort, threaten, obstruct, defame, disturb, inappropriately influence or intimidate.

The arrest appears to run contrary to Suu Kyi’s announcement in April on her government’s plan to free all political prisoners in Burma “as soon as possible”.

SEE ALSO: Suu Kyi announces plan to release all political prisoners in Burma

The declaration was her first act in her newly created position as state counselor, which effectively allows her to oversee the rest of the government.

At the time of the announcement, about 100 political prisoners were still left over from the military-backed government that was recently replaced by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party.

Shortly after the declaration, newly-appointed civilian president, President Htin Kyaw, vowed to continue efforts to release the remaining political prisoners in the country even as he signed a pardon for 83 detainees.

SEE ALSO: Burma’s new president vows to release political prisoners, pardons 83

Additional reporting by Associated Press