Two Reuters journalists have been sent to prison for seven years after being found guilty of breaking state secrets laws while probing the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Wa Lone, who is 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, age 28, were arrested in December while carrying official documents given to them by police. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been invited to dinner by the officers who handed them documents about the massacre.
The pair had been collecting evidence in connection with the execution of ten men in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State.
The deaths occurred during a campaign of violence which began last August. Over half a million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh.
They have protested their innocence, claiming that they were framed by police.
The case has been seen as a test of press freedom in Myanmar.
“Today is a sad day for Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and press freedom anywhere,” Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said.
Both of the journalists are Myanmar citizens who were working for the international news agency.
The verdict has been heavily criticised by observers and human rights groups.
“We are extremely disappointed by this verdict,” Britain’s ambassador to Myanmar, Dan Chugg said according to Reuters.
