Myanmar rejects jailed journalists’ final appeal
Landmark case raises questions about the country's transition to democracy
Naypyitaw — Myanmar's top court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail for breaking the Official Secrets Act, in a landmark case that has raised questions about the country's transition to democracy. “They were sentenced for seven years and this decision stands, and the appeal is rejected,” supreme court judge Soe Naing told the court in the capital, Naypyitaw. Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, have spent more than 16 months in detention since they were arrested in December 2017 while working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys. Lawyers for the reporters had appealed to the supreme court, citing lack of proof of a crime and evidence that the pair were set up by police. A policeman told a lower court in 2018 that officers had planted secret documents on the two reporters. A district court judge in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, found the two journalists guilty under the Official Secrets Act last ...
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.