Saw Myint Than, chief correspondent of journal released

by Nam Davies

Tuesday, 21 October 2008 16:38

New Delhi – The Chief Correspondent of the 'Flower' journal, detained for over a month for covering a double murder in Thigangyun, Rangoon, was released from custody yesterday evening after signing a personal bond. Saw Myint Than of the weekly journal was released after the prosecutor Pol. Maj. Khin Maung Aye withdrew the case against him under section 34(d) of the Electronic Law. He was produced in court yesterday at about 3:30 p.m. He was charged only in one case under the 'Electronic Law," He was released after the prosecution withdrew his case. But a journalist close to the weekly journal said that the Chief Correspondent had to sign a bond before being released. He had to pledge not to commit a similar crime in the future. But the authorities did not elaborate or clarify what the 'similar crime' was. He was charged with many cases including having unlawful associations and using an unauthorized internet connection when his cases were registered at the Kyauktada police station in Rangoon. Later the cases were withdrawn one by one. Saw Myint Than is likely to be reassigned his previous work. The police arrested him after the 'Irrawaddy' magazine website in exile posted a news item that the Rangoon Division Police Force summoned and reprimanded him for covering the double murder in Thingangyun, Rangoon Division. The police accused him of having contacts with the 'Irrawaddy' news magazine. But both he and 'Irrawaddy' categorically denied this baseless accusation. < Prev   Next >