Myanmar journalist Myo Myint Oo is serving a life prison sentence for terrorism, an anti-state charge Myanmar’s military regime has used broadly to stifle independent news reporting since staging a democracy-suspending coup in 2021.
Myo Myint Oo, a reporter with the local Dawei Watch, was arrested on December 11, 2023, at his home in the coastal town of Myeik, according to news reports and the independent publication’s chief editor, who communicated with CPJ on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Dawei Watch reporter Aung San Oo was arrested the same day at his home in Myeik, those sources said.
On May 15, 2024, a military court inside Myeik Prison convicted and sentenced Myo Myint Oo to life in prison under Section 52(b) of the Counter Terrorism Law, according to a Dawei Watch statement and CPJ’s email communication with the outlet’s chief editor.
Authorities beat Myo Myint Oo and Aung San Oo during interrogations at a detention center and denied them legal counsel, according to the statement. Myo Myint Oo was being held at Myeik Prison and allowed twice-monthly family visits in late 2024, according to the news publication’s chief editor. He suffered from a skin disease and extreme weight loss, the editor said.
The Ministry of Information did not reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment in late 2024 on Myo Myint Oo’s conviction, alleged abuse during interrogation, sentencing, and status in prison.