Young woman charged with insulting Suu Kyi on Facebook
Bago, Myanmar - A young woman has been charged by the police in Bago Region, a 100-km north of Yangon, over Facebook posts allegedly insulting State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
The move followed a complaint filed by another youngster Lin Lae Lae Hlaing, 18, from Kyunthaya in Bago Region, against Sandi Myint Aung, 19, over her alleged Facebook posts under Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
This is the second defamatory facebook charge involving the National League for Democracy leader in as many weeks.
In her remarks, Lin Lae Lae Hlaing said,“We communicated online but I don’t know her in person. I no longer want to see her posts insulting the State Counsellor.” Lin Lae Lae's father is Htay Naing, a regional press officer for the National League for Democracy.
Sandi Myint Aung's mother, Aye San, said her daughter is just 19, a second year geography major at Bago University. "My husband is an organiser for the Union Solidarity and Development Party and a former ward administrator....People still upload defamatory posts about former president Thein Sein (although no action taken),” she said.
Bago Police Sub-Inspector Than Tun said,“We have not arrested Sandi Myint Aung yet. We are still investigating the case files and then will send them to the Criminal Investigation Department. We can put her under arrest only when there is valid evidence.”
Under Section 66(d) anyone extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming or disturbing online can be jailed for three years or subject to fine.