Tuesday, March 19

BBC Journalist Taken Off the Street and Disappeared in Myanmar

A BBC journalist has disappeared in Myanmar, where there has been significant unrest after a coup.

 

The British broadcaster says reporter Aung Thura was taken by “unidentified men” in the capital, Naypyidaw.

The BBC says it is very concerned about the journalist and has asked the authorities for help. The country has been in chaos for weeks because of the coup by the armed forces.

Security forces have shot at civilians demonstrating for the restoration of democracy and the release of the arrested head of government Aung San Suu Kyi.

Local and foreign journalists are also not spared. Earlier this month, the authorities arrested Polish journalist Robert Bociaga, who works for the German news agency DPA. He was allegedly detained in the city of Taunggyi.

The German embassy has called for him to be treated “fairly and humane”.

During protests in Yangon, security forces also arrested a photojournalist who works for the American Associated Press. Journalist Thein Zaw is now being prosecuted for violating a law that prohibits, among other things, the “sowing of fear and spreading fake news.”

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