Myanmar ex-Information Minister Ye Htut Jailed for Incitement, Sedition
Myanmar’s former information minister, Ye Htut, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for incitement and sedition against the military, according to a security source. The verdict comes weeks after Ye Htut was arrested for spreading wrong information on social media.
Ye Htut, who served as the information minister and presidential spokesperson under the military government of Thein Sein, was tried in Yangon’s Insein Prison. The charges against him were based on two laws that criminalize incitement against the military and sedition.
While the security source did not provide further details about the trial, Ye Htut’s arrest in October followed accusations from pro-junta Telegram channels, which claimed that he had exposed the address of a retired military officer.
During his tenure as information minister, Ye Htut was known as the Facebook Minister due to his frequent posts on the popular social media platform. After retiring, he remained active on Facebook, sharing details about his travels. His last post was on October 27 during a trip to Inle Lake, a popular tourist spot.
The conviction of Ye Htut is part of a broader crackdown by the military junta, which seized power in a coup earlier this year. The military has detained several trade and commerce officials in recent months as the country’s economy continues to suffer amidst the ongoing conflict.
In another high-profile case, two allies of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing were recently sentenced to 20 years in prison each for corruption and abuse of power.
The trial and conviction of Ye Htut highlight the military’s determination to suppress dissent and control the flow of information in Myanmar. The country’s transition towards democracy following the landmark elections in 2015 appears to be unraveling as the military tightens its grip on power.
The international community has condemned the military’s actions and called for the release of political prisoners, including Ye Htut. The United Nations, along with several countries, has imposed sanctions on Myanmar in response to the coup and the military’s human rights abuses.
The sentencing of Ye Htut serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Myanmar as it grapples with the military’s oppressive rule and the erosion of democratic gains. The fate of the country’s future hangs in the balance as the international community continues to exert pressure on the military to restore civilian rule.
It remains to be seen how Myanmar will navigate its way out of this crisis and whether there will be an opportunity for reconciliation and a return to democracy. The people of Myanmar, who have been at the forefront of the resistance against the military, continue to demand justice and freedom, hoping for a brighter and more inclusive future for their nation.
