Burma
Australian editor imprisoned in BurmaPosted Feb 16 2011
Editor and co-owner of the Myanmar Times Ross Dunkley, was detained on Thursday, Feb. 10 in Myanmar on the grounds he had overstayed his visa under immigration laws. He is being held in Yangon's main Insein Prison. The maximum sentence is two years and the minimum is a fine, though he could receive a combination. Dunkley was traveling home from a business meeting in Japan.
According to the Associated Press, David Armstrong, partner and co-owner of the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia, has released a statement saying Dunkley’s arrest, “coincides with tense and protracted discussions… about the future direction of the publishing group, ownership issues and senior leadership roles” between the Myanmar business partners.
The Myanmar Times, located in downtown Rangoon, is the only media source in Burma with a foreign investment. The publication consistently attracts negative attention from the government and was forced to shut down for a week in 2008 after a story about satellite licensing fees increasing according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
In Armstrong’s statement, he confirmed that Dunkley will be held until his court date on Feb. 24. “His lawyers in Yangon say Mr. Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him and is looking forward to returning to lead the Myanmar Times group in the exciting times ahead for the publishers and the country,” Mr. Armstrong said.
Dunkley’s arrest coincides with the rise of Burma’s democracy after being under military rule since 1962. Previous Senior Military Leader, Than Shwe is expected to step down as Thein Sein becomes president.