Veteran Arakanese politician and former Arakan State lawmaker U Pe Than has been charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code and Article 66 (d) of the Telecommunications Law over an interview he gave to DMG recently.

The ex-MP told DMG that Police Captain Soe Tun Oo on September 17 filed a lawsuit against him in relation to the interview, which was published under the English-language headline “If there is no political discussion, the clashes will become outright battles”.

“They [police] are reportedly attempting to prosecute and arrest me,” U Pe Than added. The township police force was instructed by state-level officials to open a case against him, he added.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) issued a notice on September 14, saying it would impose checks on vehicles and vessels as Myanmar’s military regime has been bringing in reinforcements and weapons using public transport. DMG interviewed U Pe Than on September 15, discussing the recent news about the AA’ travel checks and the deteriorating security situation in Arakan State more broadly.

Speaking to DMG over the weekend, U Pe Than said he was on a visit and did not want to comment on the case opened against him due to the interview.

Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision, and Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law both carry maximum sentences of three years in prison. DMG continues to attempt to contact officials from the Myebon Township police station regarding the matter.

U Pe Than was previously a member of the Arakan National Party (ANP) policy steering committee, but resigned from the party in June 2021 following the military coup in February of that year. He has frequently given interviews to DMG and other Arakan State-based media outlets regarding Arakan affairs, both as a prominent member of the ANP and after he left the party.