RANGOON — A newly elected lawmaker for the Arakan State legislature will be forced to forfeit his seat after being convicted of trespassing and harassment and sentenced to one year in prison on Thursday.
Hla Aung Nyunt, a member of the Arakan National Party (ANP) won a seat in the state parliament in the Nov. 8 general election, defeating San Shwe Maung of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Minbya Township (2).
ANP member Aung Mra Kyaw told The Irrawaddy that Hla Aung Nyunt was found guilty of harassing a woman carrying out flood relief works organized by his USDP rival. The woman testified that he had entered her house without permission and threatened her.
The charges against him were not related to election violations, but “he was sued with many articles,” Aung Mra Kyaw said.
San Shwe Maung, who will assume the seat in his stead, was unavailable for comment as of Friday morning.
