THE 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 website, which was established by the NUG.
The report said investigations will continue, while financial accounts linked to the funding will be closed and confiscated.
The NUG, the parallel civilian administration formed by remnants of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party and anti-coup groups, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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. — Reuters
