YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar’s former information minister, Ye Htut, has been arrested and charged with encouraging dissent against the military, the junta announced on Sunday, marking the latest in a series of high-profile arrests in the country.
The military, which seized power in a coup in 2021 and has faced armed resistance since, has recently detained several trade and commerce officials as the ongoing civil conflict takes a toll on Myanmar’s already struggling economy.
Ye Htut, who served as information minister and presidential spokesperson during the military government of Thein Sein, which transitioned power to Aung San Suu Kyi following the landmark 2015 elections, was taken into custody on Saturday evening. According to the junta information team, his arrest is connected to “spreading false information on social media.”
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest and revealed that Ye Htut had been charged under Section 505 (a), which prohibits actions deemed detrimental to the military and carries a maximum prison term of three years.
This arrest follows allegations made by pro-junta Telegram channels a week ago, accusing Ye Htut of disclosing the address of a retired military officer on social media.
During his time in office, Thein Sein’s administration introduced some economic and social liberalization measures, including granting Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party access to mainstream politics. However, it was also marked by waves of deadly religious violence.
Ye Htut gained the nickname “the Facebook Minister” due to his frequent postings on the popular social media network in the country. Even after his retirement, he remained active on the platform, often sharing details about his travels. His most recent post, dated October 27, documented a visit to Inle Lake, a well-known tourist destination.
