A Burmese actor and model was recently arrested by military forces in Myanmar as part of a crackdown on celebrities supporting their opposition.
Paing Takhon, 24, went viral in January last year photos of him dressed as a hot ‘monk’ was posted on social media.
Takhon had more than a million Instagram followers last month, with many of his fans coming from Myanmar and Thailand. However, his social media accounts were recently removed after he was recently arrested.
Following the coup in Myanmar on February 1, the military began targeting public figures who criticized the recent change of government, according to The guardian.
Takhon took part in both online and personal protests. As a result of his anti-coup remarks, he was detained last week, BBC report.
Prior to his arrest, Takhon was allegedly in poor physical condition and could not “stand or walk properly” for unknown reasons. He also said that he suffers “severe depression,” an acquaintance of his told the BBC.
He was reportedly with his mother in Yangon Township on Thursday. About 50 soldiers arrived around 5 a.m. to take him away despite his poor condition. Although it is said that he is “Aware of the consequences” of his actions he was “Not scared at all.”
Takhon is facing charges in terms of section 505 (a) of Myanmar’s criminal law, According to Reuters. This section addresses any person who “Make, publish or distribute any statement, rumor or report” it could possibly lead to a mutiny to a member of the military.
According to The Guardian, the army in Myanmar is currently searching for more than 100 people, and many of them are hiding. These people range from actors and influencers on social media to politicians.
The Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Burma, a non-profit organization for human rights, claimed that 2,728 people are currently in custody, 38 have been sentenced and 570 have died. Many of them are kept in unknown places.
The current location of Takhon is unknown.
Feature image via Paing Takhon
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