AP Journalist Covering Protests Against Myanmar Coup Charged Under Anti-Dissent Law
Thein Zaw was arrested Saturday, AP reportsRoss A. Lincoln | March 2, 2021 @ 9:07 PM Last Updated: March 3, 2021 @ 7:11 AM
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An Associated Press reporter arrested in Myanmar on Saturday while covering the ongoing protests against the country’s military dictatorship was charged Tuesday under a law designed to criminalize dissent and restrict journalists.
Thein Zaw, 32, and five other journalists have been charged under a public order law that, according to AP, “punishes anyone who causes fear among the public, knowingly spreads false news, or agitates directly or indirectly for a criminal offense against a government employee.” The charges carry a sentence of up to three years.