Political scientist and NLD official Myo Yan Naung Thein was sentenced to six months in prison today after the Kamayut Township court found him guilty of violating Section 66(D) of the Telecommunications Law.
The controversial law’s newest victim was arrested in early November over his Facebook post from October 14, which called for Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to resign over the Tatmadaw’s handling of the attacks that month on police in Rakhine State.
Since his arrest, Myo Yan Naung Thein has been held in Insein Prison. With credit for time served, he is expected to be released in three weeks.
Myo Yan Naung Thein is the secretary of the NLD’s Central Research Management Team. He is also the founder of the Bayda Institute, the party’s educational arm.
Section 66(D) prohibits extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person by using media platforms. However, it is primarily invoked to punish social media users who criticize the Myanmar government or military.
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