RFA
Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, the abbot of Myawaddy Mingyi Monastery in central Myanmar, was arrested on Feb. 1 during the military coup d’état for criticizing the army’s interference in Myanmar’s political system. Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, who is also known as Myawaddy Mingyi Sayadaw, has been a long-time critic of the army’s influence on society. He was among scores of political detainees released in an amnesty on Monday that critics said was an attempt by the junta to win acceptance of its self-declared caretaker government. The abbot spoke to Soe San Aung of RFA’s Myanmar Service about his arrest, detention, release, and the political crisis in the country. Following are excerpts of the interview, edited for length and clarity:
Mandalay
Myanmar
Myawaddy-mingyi-sayadaw
Suu-kyi
Myanmar-service
Myawaddy-mingyi-monastery
Soe-san-aung
Mandalay-central
State-counselor
Aung-san-suu-kyi
மாண்டலே
மியான்மர்