Police detains key activist
North Okkalapa police have arrested Htin Kyaw, the leader of the Movement for Democracy Current Force, at his office in Thingangyun Township.
Htin Kyaw said: “Captain Hla Oo, head of North Okkalapa Township police, himself arrested me with a warrant issued by township court judge Nanda Myo under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code. A lieutenant colonel from the Yangon Region command has opened the case against him at the police station, I think in connection with what I said at North Okkalapa Township court on October 21. I talked about the unfair judicial system and violations of human rights. I pointed out the criminal offences committed by the generals. Nobody took action against them although I lodged a complaint.”
Htin Kyaw served long prison sentences under former president Thein Sein’s administration for staging a series of protests but President Htin Kyaw pardoned him this year.
Section 505(a) says anyone who makes, publishes or circulates a statement, rumour or report which may impede a member of the armed forces in their duty could face up to two years in jail.
