Myanmar Facebook arrest: Woman held over 'army insult'

By BBC News

October 13, 2015

A Burmese woman has been arrested after the army complained about a post she made on Facebook.

Chaw Sandi Tun, 25, suggested the army's commander-in-chief wrap Aung San Suu Kyi's sarong around his head after internet users noticed the colour of the army's new uniform matched the opposition leader's clothing.

The phrase is a big insult in Myanmar.

Some reports suggest the activist for Ms Suu Kyi's party could face up to five years in prison for defamation.

The army's commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing - who the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Yangon says is a prolific Facebook user - modelled the new uniform online following a rebranding exercise.

Burmese internet users spotted that the lighter shade of green matched a sarong once worn by Ms Suu Kyi.

A composite picture was made and widely shared suggesting that the army was taking its lead from Ms Suu Kyi, who it kept under house arrest for many years before the country began a transition to democracy.

Ms Chaw - a National League for Democracy activist - shared the picture and added her own comment, saying: "If you love Mother Suu so much, why don't you wrap her sarong around your head?"

The activist was arrested on Monday. She is expected to be charged under the country's Electronic Transactions Act. According to some media reports, she could face up to five years in prison.

Myanmar is due to hold a general election in November.