U.S. journalist Denny Fennster, who has been imprisoned by the junta in Myanmar for several months, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday for inciting resistance to the army, illegal association and violating immigration law, Fennster’s employer told Frontier Myanmar.
Fennster, 37, was arrested in May while trying to leave Myanmar. He has also been charged with terrorism and incitement to life imprisonment if convicted.
Fennster worked for Frontier Myanmar for about a year and went home to visit his family when he was detained.
He was tried in closed session at Yangon Insein Prison.
“Everyone [žurnālā]”Frontier is disappointed and unhappy with the decision,” commenting on Fennster’s 11-year prison sentence.
“We just want Denny to be released as soon as possible so he can go home with his family,” Frontier Myanmar said.
Richard Horsiy, a senior adviser to the Myanmar Crisis Group, described the verdict as shocking.
“This sends a message not only to international journalists (..) but also to Myanmar journalists that they could face many years in prison for reporting the situation,” Horsiy told AFP.
The Myanmar army seized power in the country on 1 February, overthrowing the government of Auna Sana’a Su Chi. The military junta suppresses democratic protests and dissidents.
More than 1,200 people have been killed by security forces, according to local activists.
The military junta is also putting pressure on the media to control the flow of information. Internet is being disrupted and local media licenses are being revoked.
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