Journalist sentenced to 20 years in prison in Burma
A court in Burma has sentenced video reporter Hla Hla Win to 20 years in prison. The journalist was arrested last September after visiting a Buddhist monastery in Pakokku in the north of the country.
The verdict was handed down on 31 December, the organizations Reporters Without Borders and the Burmese Media Association announced on Wednesday. A female companion was sentenced to 26 years in prison. There was no confirmation from the authorities.
The two organizations expressed outrage at the "extremely harsh" ruling, which gives little hope that the elections planned for this year in Burma will be free. According to an SDA press release, elections are to be held this year in the Asian country, which is under the authoritarian rule of a military junta. However, an exact date has not yet been set.
Hla Hla Win also worked for the Norway-based television station Democratic Voice of Burma.
The two organizations expressed outrage at the "extremely harsh" ruling, which gives little hope that the elections planned for this year in Burma will be free. According to an SDA press release, elections are to be held this year in the Asian country, which is under the authoritarian rule of a military junta. However, an exact date has not yet been set.
Hla Hla Win also worked for the Norway-based television station Democratic Voice of Burma.
