Myanmar arrests 21 over alleged donations to opposition-linked fundraising platform

NAY PYI TAW — Myanmar's military-backed government has arrested 21 people it said ​had transferred money to an online ‌fundraising platform linked to the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

The state media report said authorities had identified the details of more than 2,700 ​people who allegedly ⁠provided financial support to the People's Revolution Supply Family (PRF) website, which was established by the NUG.

The arrested individuals live in townships in Myanmar and will ‌face legal action.

The report said investigations will continue, while financial accounts linked to the funding will be closed and confiscated.

Myanmar has faced political turmoil and conflict ⁠since a military coup overthrew a civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

A parallel civilian administration, the National Unity Government, comprises remnants of Aung San Suu Kyi's party and anti-coup groups.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, ​the PRF said that it neither collects nor stores the personal information of people that support its activities.

"Therefore, the allegation that information ​on more ‌than 2,700 members had been obtained is baseless," it said.

"It is clear that the primary purpose of these allegations is to ​intimidate ⁠the public, undermine trust in the PRF and cut off the revolution's sources of income," the PRF added.

The ⁠NUG-aligned People's Defence Force and ethnic armed organisations have been fighting military forces across the country.

After the coup, the junta designated the NUG and its allies as "terrorist organisations". The new military-backed government, ⁠which is headed by the former junta chief, has dismissed the ​regional Asean bloc's peace plan to end the fighting.

Opposition groups have long used unofficial payment channels, online fundraising, cryptocurrency and bond sales to raise funds outside Myanmar's military-controlled banking system.

Diaspora ‌communities play a major ⁠role in supporting opposition groups, providing ​financial support through overseas transfers and alternative payment channels.

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