A French tourist has been arrested for flying a drone near Myanmar’s parliament in the capital Naypyidaw, the French embassy confirmed on Monday.

Arthur Desclaux tried to fly a drone over the government building, which is illegal under Myanmar law.

Local media published photos of the French detainee, including his passport details and his drone.

“A French man, on a visit to Myanmar, was arrested late afternoon on Thursday, 7 February for having flown a drone over the parliament,” the embassy said, adding that the man was still in detention in Naypyidaw.

His family had been informed of his arrest and embassy staff were trying to secure his release, it added. Desclaux has been charged under section 8 of the export and import law, said police officer Min Tin.

It was unclear why he was flying the drone and Myanmar authorities were not available for comment.

Three journalists – a Malaysian, Singaporean and Burmese – along with their driver were jailed in 2017 for the same offence.