Court in Myanmar extends detention period for AP journalist

A court in Myanmar has extended the detention period for an Associated Press journalist who was arrested for covering demonstrations against the military’s coup last month.

A hearing took place on Friday for 32-year-old Thein Zaw, the AP reported. His next hearing is on March 24 at the Kamayut Township court. He is facing up to three years in prison.

Friday was the end of his original detention period, the news outlet reports. 

Thein Zaw and at least six others were charged for violating the public order law, his lawyer Tin Zar Oo told the news outlet. Separate hearings were also held for the other detained journalists.

Tin Zar Oo and one of Thein Zaw’s brothers were allowed to take part in the conference, according to the AP. Also present was a representative for the U.S. Embassy, a translator, a policeman as well as a judge.

The news outlet reports that Thein Zaw was arrested as he was photographing police, some of whom were armed and charging down a street at anti-coup protesters. Video shows that he moved to get out of their way, but several officers surrounded him.

The AP reports that an officer put him in a chokehold as he was taken away.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said last Thursday that the department was “deeply concerned about the increasing attacks on and arrests of journalists. We call on the military to immediately release these individuals, and to cease intimidation and harassment of the media and others unjustly detained merely for doing their jobs, for exercising their universal rights.”

Demonstrations have only heated up in Myanmar over the past month. Amnesty Internal released a report on Thursday finding that the military was using “increasingly lethal tactics” against the peaceful protesters.