8 February

Burmese Blogger Busted

Burmese blogger Nay Phone Latt, who was arrested at an internet cafe in Rangoon on January 29, has been charged under article 5(J) of the Emergency Provision Act, according to reliable sources in Rangoon. The junta has repeatedly used Article 5(J) as an instrument of repression against dissidents and political activists.

Bloggers played a major role in ensuring the free flow of information to and from Burma during last September's massive anti-government protests and the violent crackdown that ensued. The technically savvy bloggers posted up-to-date news, photos and commentary that captured the attention of the world. Now Burma’s ruling generals, shaken by the success of the pro-democracy bloggers, have increased surveillance on internet cafes, forcing several Burmese bloggers underground. The only blog platform that had remained accessible in Burma, Blogger, has been blocked by the junta since January 23, preventing bloggers from posting entries unless they use proxy internet servers.

Before his arrest , Nay Phone Latt operated a legal internet business in Thuwunna, in the eastern suburbs of Rangoon. If found guilty Nay Phone Latt could expect a jail sentence of not less than seven years.

ENDS

© Scoop Media