Myanmar has arrested a local journalist to release a Japanese journalist Freedom of the Press

Min Nyo, who works for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in the Bago region of Myanmar, was arrested on March 3 and sentenced to three years in prison.

A Myanmar journalist who has reported on non-military protests has been jailed for three years for aggravated robbery, his state media reported, with authorities announcing the release of a twice-arrested Japanese journalist.

Min Nyo, who works for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) in the Bago region of Myanmar, was arrested on March 3 and found guilty by a military tribunal in connection with the initial verdict against journalists working on February 1.

“DVB wants the military to release Min Nyo immediately, as well as other journalists in Myanmar detention or criminal custody,” it said on Thursday.

He was beaten by police and refused to visit his relatives, he said.

Tom Andrews, Myanmar’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, also criticized the decision, saying: “The world cannot remain silent when junta’s oppressive machines block the truth and those who endanger it all to reveal it.”

In a statement to reporters last night, state-run MRTV reported that another journalist, Yuki Kitazumi, who is accused in the same way as Min Nyo, had violated the law but would be released to recognize Myanmar-Japan closer ties.

Kitazumi, who runs a media company in Yangon, was arrested on April 19 for the second time since the coup and was the first foreign journalist to be tried.

Japan was a major source of funding and a source of technical assistance and development assistance to non-Myanmar non-Myanmar governments in the 10 years of democracy and reforms that culminated in the end of the 2011 war.

The risk of life is freedom

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the re-emergence of the government, with the military trying to restore order amid growing tensions over the overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Most journalists are among the approximately 4,900 people arrested, according to the Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

DVB is one of the media outlets that has been stripped of its license by the military, which prohibits the use of the Internet and the use of dangerous force to suppress international demonstrations and protests against it. At least 785 people have been killed by security forces, according to AAPP figures.

Three DVB journalists have been arrested in northern Thailand this week for illegally escaping from Myanmar. Human rights groups have called on Thailand not to expel them.

Emerlynne Gil, Amnesty International’s deputy director general, said the journalism was actually accused by Myanmar spies.

They risk their lives and are free to expose the atrocities perpetrated by the military. “Military and dictatorial authorities are determined to put an end to the protesters by banning the protesters,” Gil said in a statement.

Resistance to the military has intensified in recent weeks, war has broken out between the military and minority militias, violent attacks on government-appointed officers and the hiding of police and soldiers and soldiers who call themselves the Army.

MRTV announced Thursday that militant laws have been announced as a result of the riots in Mindut northwest of Chin State. Opposition groups called for a major crackdown on civilians.

Protests are taking place across the country on Friday, with motorcyclists marching through the streets of Mogaung in Kachin state and several spectators marching in Mandalay despite threats of violence.

Student candlelight vigils also took place Thursday night in Mingaladon, north of Yangon, the largest city and property.