Hundreds of supporters of nationalist monk U Wirathu gathered in Yangon last week to protest against charges laid against him for sedition. An article in Frontier said that about 150 supporters marched through Yangon last Thursday, while Myanmar Times put the number at about 300. The supporters marched from Kyae Thon Pagoda to Shwedagon, the country’s holiest site, where they prayed for Wirathu’s safety. Last month, the Yangon Western District Court issued a warrant for Wirathu’s arrest under section 124(a) of the Penal Code. The law penalizes bringing the government into contempt, and holds a maximum penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine. The warrant came after comments made by Wirathu that criticized State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi about plans to amend the 2008 constitution. Speaking at the Shwedagon protest last week, prominent nationalist Ko Win Ko Ko Latt said that Wirathu’s supporters would “do something” for him, without elaborating, the Frontier report said.
