This undated file image was released by the Fenster family on June 4, 2021, and shows the American journalist Danny Fenster.
Photo: Family Window/AFP
- The American journalist Danny Fenster, the editor-in-chief of the independent news website Myanmar Border, faces additional charges after being accused of incitement.
- Fenster was detained at Yangon International Airport in May when he tried to fly out of Myanmar and now faces charges of sedition and terrorism.
- If found guilty, Finster could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison under the Terrorism Act and up to 20 years in prison for sedition.
His lawyer said on Wednesday that an American journalist who was detained in military-ruled Myanmar and accused of incitement is facing new charges of sedition and terrorism, which is a setback in the United States’ efforts to ensure his release.
Danny Fenster, 37, the editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar, a top independent news site, was detained in May at Yangon International Airport while trying to leave the country by plane.
It is unclear what the new allegations Fenster is accused of are the most serious allegations against him.
If found guilty, he may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison under the Terrorism Act and 20 years in prison for sedition.
“We don’t understand why they added more charges, but they are definitely not good at adding more charges,” his lawyer Than Zaw Aung told Reuters.
“Danny is also disappointed and sad about these new allegations.”
Regarding the allegations of “heartbroken”
The United States has repeatedly pushed for the release of Fenster, who was initially accused of inciting and violating the colonial-era illegal association laws. He was detained in the notorious Yongsheng Prison in Yangon.
In the recent amnesty for hundreds of people detained for anti-junta protests, the authorities ignored him, including some media personnel.
Since the coup on February 1, the military has cancelled media licenses, restricted Internet and satellite broadcasting, and arrested dozens of journalists. Human rights groups called this an attack on the truth.
His brother Brian Finster said in a text message:
We are saddened by these allegations, just like the other allegations made against Danny.
A spokesperson for the ruling military council did not answer a call seeking comment.
The US Embassy in Yangon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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