When Narinjara News contacted U Aung Than Wai at 6:25 pm on June 21, he confirmed that he has been arrested and he was at No 1 Police Station.

“The Rakhine State government’s secretary U Tin Maung Swe signed the paper to file the charges. I am facing two charges. The first one is under Section 66 (d) [of the Telecommunications Law]. The second charge is under Section 10 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of Citizens,” he told Narinjara News.

U Aung Than Wai said the Sittwe Myoma Police chief informed him that charges have been filed against him when they met on the street so he went to the police station. He said that the police were arranging to take him to Sittwe Township Court and he will be transported to Sittwe Prison after he is remanded.

“I have been charged under Section 66 (d) for posting a picture of the Rakhine State government’s secretary U Tin Maung Swe under the title ‘Who is responsible for the Mrauk U Murder?’ and a video file of the meeting with the Rakhine State government,” U Aung Than Wai explained the first charge.

“When all arguments [submitted] by Dr. Aye Maung were dismissed, I asked the court ‘The law only exists in the book. I want to question the union government and state government who is above the law?’ I think I have been charged for violating Section 10 of the Law Protecting the Privacy and Security of Citizens because of this,” he added.

U Aung Than Wai is a community elder of Sittwe and one of the supporters of Dr. Aye Maung.