Justice For Myanmar calls on the Czech government to immediately launch an investigation into Prague-based digital forensics company Compelson s.r.o. for potential violations of EU law through the supply of digital forensics technology to the Myanmar Police Force.
Evidence obtained by Justice For Myanmar confirms that Compelson has sold multiple licences of MOBILedit Forensic Pro software to Myanmar police.
MOBILedit Forensic Pro enables users to extract data from phones, including bypassing security protections and retrieving deleted data from secure messaging apps. It also has cloud forensics features. The technology gives the Myanmar military, and the police force which it controls, enhanced capabilities to target, surveil and arbitrarily detain those it deems a threat.
Justice For Myanmar has seen numerous emails that Compelson sent to the junta police force’s Cybercrime Division encouraging the purchase of licence renewals, which would allow the police to update a software that enables surveillance and repression.
One email a Czechia-based Compelson International Business Development staff sent to junta police in July 2021 encouraged them to update their software to enable “direct reading” from Apple Watch and to access Linux, Android and mobile device vulnerabilities.
Since the military’s illegal coup attempt, the junta has arbitrarily arrested more than 29,000 people, including activists, journalists and human rights defenders who face torture and death in custody. Detainees have reported having their phones confiscated and accessed.
The junta’s widespread and systematic campaign of arbitrary arrest, torture and murder of civilians amount to crimes against humanity, according to reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar.
The MOBILedit Forensic Pro software appears to fall under Category 5A004 of the EU Dual Use List, which covers systems designed to extract raw data from devices and circumvent authentication. It also may have previously fallen under Article 3(b) of Council Regulation (EU) 2018/647 of 26 April 2018 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Myanmar/Burma.
Such technology requires an export license for transfer to Myanmar. Depending on the date of the transfer, it may therefore violate EU Dual Use Regulation (821/2021) or the Myanmar embargo.
Justice For Myanmar reported Compelson to the EU in February 2024 through its Sanctions Whistleblower Tool but has not yet received a response. A copy of the complaint was shared with the Czech public broadcaster Český rozhlas Radiožurnál.
Radiožurnál confronted Compelson’s owner Dušan Kožušník, who said that the software was sold to Myanmar before the coup attempt. He also claimed that the software does not require export permission as it cannot break passwords or recover deleted data —contradicting the company’s own marketing materials.
However, the Czech Foreign Ministry told Radiožurnál that it would not recommend the export of MOBILedit Forensic Pro to Myanmar if asked, suggesting that the software was exported to Myanmar without approval from Czech authorities.
The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Financial Analytical Office refused to comment to Radiožurnál on the case, citing confidentiality. The three bodies are responsible for the control of arms and dual use goods.
Justice For Myanmar calls on the Czech government to launch an immediate investigation into whether Compelson has violated Czech or EU law by supplying and servicing digital forensics technology to Myanmar police, and apply any export controls, sanctions and penalties against Compelson arising from its exports.
The Czech government must also ensure that EU regulations on Myanmar are strictly enforced to prevent the flow of arms, dual use goods and technology from reaching the military junta.
Compelson should, as far as possible, remotely disable software it provided to the Myanmar police to prevent future use.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “Compelson has knowingly provided powerful digital forensics technology to the Myanmar police, which are responsible for ongoing crimes against humanity.
“The evidence we’ve uncovered shows that even after the illegal attempted military coup of 2021, Compelson engaged with Myanmar junta police, offering updates and license renewals for a technology that can be used for surveillance and repression.
“The Myanmar junta has murdered thousands since its illegal coup attempt and is using surveillance and digital forensics technology to target, arrest, torture and murder activists and journalists, abuses that could have been aided by Compelson software.
“The Czech government must fully investigate whether Compelson has violated Czech and EU law and ensure accountability.
“The Czech Republic has a responsibility to ensure its companies are not contributing to the junta’s digital dictatorship and ongoing atrocities through the provision of dual use goods and technology.”
“Compelson must also take all steps it can to prevent future use of its software by the Myanmar junta.”
