Myanmar freelance photographer San Myint was beaten and arrested on May 2, 2021, while at a betel nut shop located at Aung Chan Thar 4 Road in Pathein Township, Ayeyarwady Region, according to an Ayeyarwaddy Times post on the Detained Journalists of Myanmar private Facebook group, which CPJ reviewed, and a database maintained by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, a local rights group.
San Myint is being held at Pathein Prison, according to the association. CPJ could not determine under what charges he is being held.
His arrest came in the wake of the military’s February 1, 2021, democracy-suspending coup and subsequent protests. The military junta cracked down on Myanmar’s independent media, detaining dozens of journalists, according to those sources and CPJ research.
The Ministry of Information did not reply to CPJ’s emailed request sent in late November 2021 for comment on whether he has been charged and why he is being held.