The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
welcomes the release of Aung Kyaw San, writer and publisher of the Myanmar
Tribune, from Taunggyi prison in the Burmese state of Shan, in the
country’s east on January 26.
San was
sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment under the country’s Unlawful Association
Act for his involvement as a volunteer in helping in the search and burial
efforts after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, according to Burmese media portal
Mizzima, operated in exile from India
and Thailand.
The sentence
was reduced to two years on appeal, with Sun serving two years and seven months’
jail, including the time he was held under investigation before he was
released.
The
journalist was arrested in 1989 for participating in the popular uprising in Burma
in 1988, and also published a journal Myanmar
Manager, which was banned in 1996.
“The IFJ
welcomes the release of Aung Kyaw San, despite the questionable charges that
led to his imprisonment,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
Director Jacqueline Park said.
“San’s
release, like that of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, does not however
mean Burma’s military rulers are loosening their tight grip on political
opposition or a free media.”
Aung San
Suu Kyi was released from house arrest on November 13, 2010, immediately after Burma’s
general election, which was plagued by allegations of fraud.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries
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