The State Administration Council Information Team released a statement that John Moe Thae, the owner of the account John (Palmistry), who was spreading false information through his TikTok account that a major earthquake would occur on April 21, was arrested on April 22.
He was reportedly arrested by security forces at his home on Shwe Nyaungpin Road, New Extension Area (21), Myawaddy Ward, Monywa Township.
According to the investigation, the Monywa Police Station charged him with participating in the protests in Monywa in 2021 under Section 505(a). However, the Monywa District Court ordered him to live under the guardianship of his parents as he was a minor. He then went to the KNDO Battalion (6) to attend training and collected and supported donations online.
Later, when he returned to Monywa in November 2021, he was charged again under Section 50(j)/52(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Law. In October 2022, the Monywa District Court sentenced him to 2 years in prison. The statement said he was detained at the Youth Detention Training School in Mandalay and released in June 2023.
John Moe Thae has been found to have used astrology and palmistry to spread false information about the earthquake with the aim of causing panic among the public and legal action will be taken accordingly.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has also issued a statement that in the future, those who spread similar false information will be identified and taken legal action, urging the public not to believe false information about natural disasters. The Department said it provides timely and accurate information.
