CPJ demands an immediate release of Rakhine journalist Ko Htet Aung
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called themilitary regime on 16 May to drop all charges against Rakhine journalistKo Htet Aung and release him immediately.
CPJ Asia stated that the military regime must ceaseits senseless legal persecution of Development Media Group (DMG) reporter HtetAung and asked the regime to drop all terrorism charges.
"Myanmar must drop all pending charges againstdetained Rakhine State reporter Htet Aung and stop using false allegations ofterrorism to intimidate and jail reporters," said a CPJ Asia statement.
On 29 October 2023 (Full Moon Day of Thadingyut) Ko Htet Aung wasdetained by the junta soldiers while taking news photographs of the almsoffering festival at Win Ka Bar field in Sittwe town.
After his arrest, the junta soldiers also raided theDMG office and arrested night-watchman Ko Soe Win Aung. They also confiscatedcameras, computers and office accessories before sealing the office.
Following their arrest, the junta charged them undersection 65 of telecommunications law and section 52(a) of counter terrorismlaw. But even after six months of their arrest, the case has not been fullyinvestigated till date.
If found guilty Ko Htet Aung will be sentencedto a maximum of 12 years in prison.
Shawn Crispin, senior CPJ southeast Asiarepresentative, called on the military regime to cease their senseless legalpersecution of Ko Htet Aung and release him immediately.
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