Myanmar journalist Aung Naing Soe has been sentenced along with two foreign colleagues and their driver to two months in prison for flying a drone over the parliament compound in Naypyidaw.
Aung Naing Soe was working as a fixer for Singaporean national Lau Hon Meng and Malaysian national Mok Choy Lin, who were producing a documentary for Turkish Radio and Television (TRT). They, along with driver Hla Tin, were arrested outside the parliament compound on October 27 after security guards spotted them.
TRT said Myanmar’s Ministry of Information had been informed of the crew’s filming schedule in advance.
In addition to today’s sentencing, the four detainees still face separate charges for allegedly importing the drone without a license. Their next hearing is set for November 16.
A lawyer for Aung Naing Soe and Hla Tin says their sentencing flies in the face of reality, since neither of the Myanmar nationals owned or operated the drone.
In a video shared by the Facebook page Free Aung Naing Soe, the journalist says he had not had any contact with his friend, family, or lawyer since his detention last month. He also says he has become familiar with members of the Special Branch – an arm of the Myanmar Police Force notorious for monitoring political opposition and suppressing dissent.
However, AP reported, when Aung Naing Soe appeared for his sentencing hearing today, he was able to hug his mother as she wept.
Aung Naing Soe is known for his captivating photography and for his coverage of issues affecting Myanmar’s Muslim communities, including the Rohingya. His work has appeared in several international outlets, including Coconuts Yangon, where he was on staff from 2015 to 2016.
Though Aung Naing Soe’s work and his Muslim background have made him a target for harassment by nationalist groups in Myanmar, he has gained a reputation for his commitment to shining light on the country’s complexities.
His detention has been met with an outpouring of support from local and foreign journalists in Myanmar.
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