"Islamic State" vehicle owner jailed

Chit Ko Ko, 38, of Tamwe Township, Yangon Region, has been charged under sections 505 (b) and (c) at the township court.

Section 505 (c) states: “Whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence … shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years 

A picture of the vehicle spread through social networks on January 14 and he was detained that day. He went to jail though police concluded that the logo had no connection with IS group.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Myint Htwe said: "The vehicle's owner said that his younger brother, who made a pilgrimage recently, had given him the sticker as a gift. Now the logo is removed. He said he stuck it up just for his religious belief and no other purpose. But the police continue with the investigation." 

Lt Col Lin Htut, from the traffic police, said: "The vehicle is found to have no official registration number plate. And its owner has also been facing a charge of illegal driving while his vehicle is still under the official registration process." 

Section 505(b) threatens imprisonment for anyone making, publishing or circulating information which may cause public fear or alarm, and which may incite people to commit offences “against the state or against the public tranquillity”.