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The Independent Myanmar Journalists Association is calling for the release of a reporter who was sentenced to five years in prison under counter-terrorism laws by the junta, the group’s spokesperson said in a statement.
Than Htike Myint, a journalist from Myaelatt Athan News Agency, is one of hundreds of reporters arrested since the military coup in 2021. The ensuing crackdown on free speech prompted the junta to charge journalists working for independent media outlets with terrorism and incitement, crimes widely criticized by rights groups as fabricated.
“The junta is targeting and arresting journalists. The arrest of journalists violates press freedom,” Independent Myanmar Journalists Association spokesperson Hmue Eain Zaw told Radio Free Asia. “When press freedom is violated, the consequence is that the public no longer has the right to information, which harms them.”
Than Htike Myint was arrested at his home on Feb. 6 in In Pin town in northern Ayeyarwady division, the association said in a statement released on Wednesday.
After being taken to the 51st Light Infantry Battalion base in nearby Myanaung town, he was allegedly tortured and interrogated for a week. He was then charged under Section 52a of the Counter-Terrorism Law, who covers associating with, inciting, concealing or aiding a terrorist.
On April 3, Than Htike Myint was sentenced to five years in prison and transferred to Ayeyarwady division’s Hinthada Prison.
He was arrested for call records found on his phone, Myaelatt Athan’s editor-in-chief Salai Kaung Myat Min told RFA without giving details of who the reporter is alleged to have called.
“Working as a journalist is not a crime for which you can be jailed for five years, so we’re very upset he was charged with terrorism under Article 52a,” he said. “It’s very difficult to get justice for something like this.”
Than Htike Myint was sentenced to prison for the first time in 2021 with a 505a incitement charge, but released in 2022. He was arrested again in 2024 while working at Myaelatt Athan.
Since the 2021 coup, the Myanmar military has arrested more than 200 journalists, with seven killed and 47 still in detention, according to the Independent Myanmar Journalists Association.
Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
