Laos State Media: Woman Arrested for Criticizing Government on Facebook Confesses
Lao state media reported Tuesday that a woman who was arrested in Laos last week for criticizing the government on Facebook has confessed to her crime.
In a Facebook Live video last week, Houayheuang Xayabouly, known by her nickname Mouay, had slammed the Lao government’s slow response to severe floods in Laos’ southern provinces.
She was arrested Thursday on charges of defaming the country according to Article 117 of Laos’ Criminal Code, and is being held in the Champassak provincial jail.
The state-run Vientiane Times on Tuesday published an article with the headline “Mouay Confesses to Campaign Against Lao P.D.R.”
In that article, Lt. Col. Phaijit Xayadeth, the deputy commander of the Champassak Police Department said that Mouay’s confession followed an investigation and interrogation.
