Police set-up is to blame in case of jailed Reuters reporters, lawyers say in appeal bid
In condemning Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo as spies, the court ignored the prosecution's failure to prove any of the key elements of the crime, Reuters chief Stephen Adler says
Yangol — Lawyers for two Reuters reporters jailed for seven years in Myanmar lodged an appeal on Monday against their conviction on charges of breaking the country's Official Secrets Act. The appeal cited evidence of a police set-up and lack of proof of a crime. “We filed an appeal … because the trial court's ruling was wrong,” Reuters president and editor-in-chief Stephen Adler, said in a statement. “In condemning them as spies, it ignored compelling evidence of a police set-up, serious due-process violations, and the prosecution's failure to prove any of the key elements of the crime.” He added the court shifted the burden of proof from the prosecution to the Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and called on Myanmar to “uphold its stated dedication to rule of law, freedom of the press, and democracy by ordering the release of our colleagues”. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were found guilty in September after a trial at a Yangon district court, in a landmark case that has raised ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.