An American journalist detained in Burma since last May, Danny Fenster, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of illegal association, instigation and violation of visa rules.
"We are deeply disappointed with the decision," reads a note from the newspaper he works for.
Fenster was indicted on three counts: inciting dissent, illegal association, violation of immigration law. In separate proceedings, he is also charged with terrorism and sedition and faces life imprisonment.
Arrested at Yangon International Airport while trying to leave the country on May 24, nearly four months after the military coup against former leader Aung San Suu Kyi , he has since been held in Yangon's Insein Prison with many political prisoners. . His trial took place behind closed doors within the confines of the prison.
Burma since the coup on February 1 that ended a 10-year democratic interlude is in chaos. The regime continues a bloody repression of its opponents with over 1,250 civilians killed and more than 7,000 arrested, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners, a local NGO that denounces cases of torture, rape and abuses and extrajudicial executions.
(Unioneonline / D)
