Myanmar government defends holding American journalist, cites no crimes

Myanmar’s government defended its decision to continue detaining an American journalist on Thursday despite citing no crimes the journalist committed. 

Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said American journalist Danny Fenster,  the managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, is still detained because he “did more than what a journalist does,” The Associated Press reported. 

“As for journalists, if they do only journalist’s work, there is no reason to arrest them. Danny Fenster did more than just what a journalist does,” Min Tun told reporters. 

The charge against Fenster is one used to make it illegal to engage in “any attempt to cause fear, spread false news, or agitate directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee.” 

The charge is frequently used to silence journalists and opposition voices to the Myanmar government and military.

Min Tun would not go further into detail regarding what crimes Fenster is accused of committing or the reason for the charge. 

Fenster has now been in jail for four months in the country after he was arrested in May at an airport. 

Fenster’s outlet has defended his innocence and called for his release on multiple occasions. 

“Frontier believes Danny has done nothing wrong and we reiterate our call for his immediate and unconditional release,” Frontier said.

Fenster’s lawyer Than Zaw Aung last spoke with Fenster on Sept. 20 during a court hearing where he said Fenster did not look well, according to the AP.

“His hair grew longer. He seemed disappointed and he told me in a frustrated tone that ‘I have nothing to say,’ ” Zaw Aung said. “I asked him if he had been vaccinated by the prison authorities, and he said no. His words showed that he is not feeling well. He didn’t request anything.”