The Irrawaddy

 

 

An Indonesian travel influencer has been sentenced to seven years in a Myanmar prison after meeting with anti-junta rebels during an unauthorised trip through the war-torn country, Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

 

The 33-year-old man, identified only by the initials A.P., was arrested in December and convicted under Myanmar’s laws on terrorism, immigration, and unlawful association. Authorities said he entered the country illegally and held meetings with groups the junta classifies as terrorist organisations.

 

“He was sentenced to seven years after a court process in Myanmar,” said Judha Nugraha, Director of Citizen Protection at Indonesia’s foreign ministry. A.P. is currently held in Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison.

 

According to reports, the influencer had documented his journey through Myanmar in late 2024 via social media posts, including photos alongside armed resistance fighters opposing the military regime. Other posts on his Instagram showed a blend of warzone adventures and high-end holidays in places like Paris and Bali.

 

Myanmar has been locked in civil conflict since the 2021 military coup, with the junta facing growing resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces. The military has recently suffered significant battlefield losses, forcing it to implement conscription amid manpower shortages.

 

The Indonesian government has not contested the conviction but is now supporting the man’s family in a plea for clemency. “We are facilitating a request for clemency,” Nugraha said.

 

The case highlights the risks faced by foreign nationals engaging with groups opposed to Myanmar’s military rulers. It also underscores the junta’s hardening stance as it tries to contain widespread resistance after more than four years of internal war.

 

Whether clemency will be granted remains uncertain. For now, A.P. joins thousands of others caught in Myanmar’s sweeping security dragnet—this time, with a high-profile social media trail that may have sealed his fate.

 

-2025-07-03

Many influencers need the same treatment.