Japanese Journalist Deported From Myanmar
Faizan Hashmi Published May 14, 2021 | 01:50 PM
Yangon, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2021 ) :A Japanese journalist arrested while covering the aftermath of the Myanmar coup has been deported, Tokyo said Friday, after charges against him were dropped as a diplomatic gesture.
Yuki Kitazumi, held in Yangon's Insein prison since his arrest last month, was one of at least 80 reporters detained during the junta's crackdown on anti-coup dissent.
Security forces have killed more than 780 people since protests erupted following the February 1 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a local monitoring group.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed that the journalist left Myanmar for Japan on Friday afternoon.
Motegi said Japan had used "various channels" to press for his release and that it had been "tough work".
"As a result of those efforts, yesterday the Myanmar authorities announced that they would withdraw the indictment," he told reporters in Tokyo.
The journalist is expected to touch down in Japan on Friday night and he is in good health, Motegi said.
- $4 million food aid - The minister also announced that Japan has offered Myanmar $4 million in emergency food aid via the World Food Programme.
The support is expected to help 600,000 people.
"Food supply to the impoverished population in Yangon region is rapidly deteriorating amid this situation, and they are facing difficulties in even maintaining the most basic living conditions," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In late March, Japan had announced it was suspending new aid to Myanmar in response to the coup.
"We have continued our calls on Myanmar to immediately stop violence, release those who are detained (political prisoners) and return to the democratic political process," Motegi said.
Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV announced Thursday that the charges against journalist Kitazumi were being dropped "in order to reconcile with Japan and improve our relationship".
State media said an earlier investigation found that Kitazumi "supported the protests".
He was charged under a newly revised provision in the penal code which criminalises spreading fake news, criticising the coup or encouraging disobedience among soldiers and civil servants.
Those convicted can face up to three years in jail.
Kitazumi, who had previously been arrested in February but released soon afterwards, was the first foreign journalist to be charged since the coup.
A Polish photographer arrested while covering a protest in March was freed and deported after nearly two weeks in custody.
As well as arresting reporters and photographers, the junta has also revoked broadcasting licences and ordered regular internet outages as it seeks to suppress news of the anti-coup protest movement.
On Wednesday, a reporter for independent media outlet DVB, Min Nyo, was sentenced to three years in jail for criminal mutiny.
Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, a former reporter for Tomorrow Journal, was arrested on Thursday afternoon, his son confirmed to AFP.
Forty-five journalists and photographers remain in custody across Myanmar, according to monitoring group Reporting ASEAN.
burs-lpm/pdw/lb
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
1 day ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
3 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
3 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
10 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
13 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago