20-Yr Jail for Myanmar Journo for Reporting Cyclone Aftermath

A Myanmar court sentenced a photojournalist of an underground news agency to 20 years in jail with hard labour for his coverage of the aftermath of the cyclone that hit the country in May 2023.

Sai Zaw Thaike, a photographer for the independent online news service Myanmar Now, has been punished with this 20-year jail sentence. It is the most severe punishment for any journalist detained since the military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

Myanmar Now, which operates underground, reported that a military tribunal tried, convicted and sentenced 40-year-old Sai Zaw Thaike, during the first court hearing.

The court proceedings took place inside Insein prison in Yangon. Sai Zaw Thaike was denied legal representation.

Sai Zaw Thaike was arrested on May 23 in Rakhine’s capital of Sittwe while recording the damage caused by Cyclone Mocha.