A Mandalay man has been arrested for allegedly “defaming” Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s coup regime, according to local sources.
Zaw Win Maung, a tattoo artist with a large following on social media, was taken into custody at his studio in Mandalay’s Maha Aungmyay Township on Wednesday, a resident of the area, located south of the city’s downtown core, told Myanmar Now.
“The junta soldiers that came to get him were dressed in plain clothes. They said he posted a video that defamed Min Aung Hlaing,” said the area resident.
“We don’t know where he’s being held or any other details yet,” he added.
The arrest follows complaints made on pro-junta Telegram channels that Zaw Win Maung, who mostly posts comedy videos on TikTok, used the platform to share a video he made in 2021 of a group of people assaulting a man named Min Aung Hlaing.
The same Telegram channels later applauded his arrest and posted photos of him being detained by the regime’s forces.
It was unclear at the time of reporting what charges Zaw Win Maung is facing. However, similar alleged offenses have typically been prosecuted under Section 66d of the Telecommunications Law, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison.
The junta has also frequently used Section 505a of the Penal Code, which deals with incitement to unrest, to silence critics of its rule. Violations of the law are also punishable by up to three years behind bars.
After interrogation, Zaw Win Maung will likely be transferred to Mandalay’s Obo Prison, where hundreds of political prisoners, including doctors, lawyers, teachers and members of the ousted ruling party, the National League for Democracy, are being held.
