Burma's military government is accusing supporters of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi of using religion as a pretext to incite violence.
At least 40 people were arrested in the past several days after marching to temples to pray for the Nobel Laureate's freedom. She is set to be released from house arrest May 27th, but Burmese authorities may extend her detention.
Burma's official "New Light of Myanmar" newspaper said today - Thursday that political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, were all arrested for attempting to disrupt peace and tranquillity in the country.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent most of the past 17 years under house arrest.
Her party won a 1990 general election, but Burma's military government has refused to recognize the result.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.