Journalists on Trial for Covering Myanmar Coup

YANGON - Preliminary hearings were held Tuesday for three journalists detained in Yangon on February 27 while covering protests of the military coup. IPI urges the international community and leaders to take action against continued violations of human rights and freedom of the press in #Myanmar. We call on the Junta to immediately release, drop all charges against @MizzimaNews Ko Zaw Zaw, all other detained journalists. https://t.co/nKzTXkd7Ty CPJ calls on the #Myanmar government to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists detained in the aftermath of the February 1 suspension of democracy and imposition of emergency rule in the country. Read the letter:https://t.co/aPQ1nDPs5f pic.twitter.com/aP2fJhoII3 Release all the detainees right now! Entertainers, journalist, artists, influencers and, innocent civilians are unlawfully arrested and detained by military juntas just because of their anti-coup protesting activities.Speak up for Myanmar please. #WhatsHappeniningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/QtJ76te0dY

The journalists — Aung Ye Ko, of the 7 Day Media; Hein Pyae Zaw of Zee-Gwet or “Owl” Media; and freelancer Banyar Oo — appeared in a prison court for the closed hearing, a lawyer representing them told VOA Burmese. The lawyer, Nilar Khine, said she did not seek bail because the courts have rejected requests in similar cases. Her clients are next due in court on April 20. The journalists are among at least 60 members of the media arrested since Myanmar’s military seized control in a February 1 coup, according to lawyers.