Anti-Rohingya activist arrested for sedition in Yangon

By Wunna Kwanyo

A Rakhine activist wanted on a charge of sedition was arrested on Wednesday afternoon when he walked into a courthouse in Yangon in an attempt to post bail.

Pho Thar, the secretary of the nationalist group Arakan Youth Organization (AYO), was charged under Article 505(b) of the Myanmar Penal Code last month for his alleged role in organizing anti-Rohingya demonstrations.

“Pho Thar went to the Bahan Township court to post bail, but it didn’t go well. He was detained by Bahan police and taken to Insein prison,” said Aung Thein, the chief editor of Thazin Pankhine news journal.

Pho Thar is also the chief reporter at Thazin Pankhine.

Aung Thein said Pho Thar has been appointed a court hearing on May 31.

Last year, Pho Thar was charged under the Peace Procession and Peaceful Assembly Law for organizing an anti-Rohingya rally outside of a designated protest area.