Myanmar ex-information minister arrested
Myanmar's junta confirmed the arrest of the country's former information minister, marking another high-profile detention.
The junta charged Ye Htut with purportedly inciting dissent against the military, as they continue to grapple with armed resistance that emerged following their 2021 coup. In the past months, a number of trade and commerce officials have been detained, further straining Myanmar's already fragile economy amidst ongoing civil conflict.
Ye Htut held the positions of information minister and presidential spokesperson during the military government led by Thein Sein, which subsequently transferred authority to Aung San Suu Kyi following the landmark 2015 elections.
The junta's information team issued a statement indicating that the 64-year-old former minister was apprehended on Saturday evening on charges related to "disseminating false information via social media." A security source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that Ye Htut had been charged under section 505 (a) of the law, which criminalizes actions deemed to undermine the military and carries a maximum prison sentence of three years.
Ye Htut gained the nickname "the Facebook Minister" for his frequent activity on the social media platform, which was highly popular in the country at the time. Even after his retirement, he continued to use the platform to share updates about his travels. His most recent post, dated October 27, detailed his visit to Inle Lake, a renowned tourist destination.
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