A Myanmar military court in Myeik Prison has sentenced two journalists from Dawei Watch to lengthy prison terms under a counterterrorism law, their editor said on August 29.
The Dawei Watch journalists Myo Myint Oo and Aung San Oo were arrested in December 11, 2023, and reportedly endured violent interrogations before being moved to Myeik Prison. Myo Myint Oo received a life sentence on May 15, 2024, while Aung San Oo was sentenced to 20 years in prison on February 16, 2024. Both were denied legal defense and barred from speaking in court.
Myanmar junta also sentenced former journalist and documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe to life in prison on January 10, 2024. While the junta plans a sham election through an election commission that abolished dominant political parties in the previous elections, their crackdown on press freedom continues. Without freedom of speech, there will be no free and fair election.