Myanmar coup opponents face charges, army hunt

Seven people supporting the ongoing anti-coup protests have been charged for comments on social media and are being hunted by Myanmar’s military junta, authorities said on Saturday.

The seven individuals include Min Ko Naing and Kyaw Min Yu, known as Jimmy, both prominent leaders during the mass demonstrations of 1988, and Htwe Lynn Ko, known as Lynn Lynn, a famous singer and Aung San Suu Kyi loyalist.

All seven have been charged under section 505 (b) of the penal code for allegedly defaming the state and threatening “public tranquility” through their social media posts, the National Administrative Council said in a statement.

The charges carry a punishment of up to two years.

Min Ko Naing, a former political prisoner who has spent most years since 1988 in jail, is considered to be the most influential person in Myanmar after Suu Kyi.

Along with the other six, he went into hiding when the military overthrew the civilian government on Feb. 1.

As demonstrations started in the country three days later, he was among the leaders who urged people to resist the coup in all possible ways.