Jailed US journalist in Myanmar slapped with new charge | Nation And World

BANGKOK (AP) – A US journalist who spent more than four months in custody in the military-ruled Myanmar was charged with a second crime, his lawyer said on Monday, while the authorities refused to disclose the reason for his arrest.

Danny Fenster, editor-in-chief of Yangon-based online news and business magazine Frontier Myanmar, has been charged under the Unlawful Association Act, lawyer Than Zaw Aung said.

Fenster, 37, has already been charged with incitement, also known as sedition, for allegedly disseminating false or inflammatory information. This offense is punishable by up to three years in prison.

It is not known what window was charged with leading to his arrest on Jan.

When asked about the reason for Window’s arrest last week, government spokesman Maj.-Gen said. Zaw Min Tun replied, “If journalists are just doing journalistic work, there is no need to arrest them. Danny Fenster did more than just what a journalist does. “

Fenster is one of around 100 journalists arrested since the military came to power in February. More than half have been released, but independent media are generally forced to operate underground or from outside the country.

Than Zaw Aung said a judge announced the new charges on Monday during the window hearing in front of the court at Insein Prison in Yangon where he is being held. He said he had not received any further details.

The new indictment states that anyone “who is a member of, or attends meetings of, or makes, receives, solicits, or in any way supports the work of any unlawful association” may join two to three years imprisonment and a fine are punished.

Window’s lawyer and colleagues have denied any wrongdoing on his part. The US government and international media organizations have requested his release. Fenster is one of a handful of foreign journalists who have been arrested and the only one left in custody.

The allegations of illegal associations were made mainly against ethnic rebel groups seeking greater autonomy. Sympathizers and even journalists who come into contact with such groups have also been prosecuted.

The list of named groups includes popular opposition organizations representing the overthrown elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The National Unity Government and the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Representation Committee (CRPH) were declared illegal after their formation after the army seized power in February.

Suu Kyi’s government also carried out criminal prosecutions, including against journalists, during its tenure.

“The Illegal Associations Act has an unsavory history of prosecuting political activists and journalists who report on opposition groups,” said Linda Lakhdhir, Asian legal advisor at Human Rights Watch, in March. “By making the CRPH illegal, the Myanmar Junta is increasing the stakes not only for its members, but also for anyone who supports, writes, or even contacts the group.”

Attorney Than Zaw Aung said the window he saw in the Insein prison court was in good health despite previously claiming he feared he was infected with COVID-19. The attorney said he filed a petition for bail for windows in the incitement process.