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Freelance video reporter sentenced to 26 years in Burma

Irrawaddy - January 6, 2010

Lawi Weng – Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have condemned a Burmese court in Pokokku Township that sentenced a freelance video reporter to 20 years in prison for violation of the Electronic Act.

Hla Hla Win, 25, was arrested on Sept. 11. In October, she received a 7-year sentence for possessing an illegally imported motorcycle. When authorities learned she was associated with the exiled news organization, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and provided it with video material, she was charged under the Electronic Act, which prohibits sending information critical of the military regime out of the country via the Internet.

Hla Hla Win, who was sentenced again on Dec. 31, worked as a teacher. She will serve a combined sentence of 26 years.

Myint Naing, who accompanied her, also received a 26-year sentence. They were arrested in Pakokku Township, Magwe Division, after visiting a monastery.

A joint statement said, "People had been expecting signs of an opening and goodwill gestures from the military junta in this election year, but this extremely severe sentence on a 25-year-old video maker leaves little hope that the elections will be free.

Toe Zaw Latt, DVB's bureau chief in Thailand, said, "The Burmese junta threatens people who are working with us. But we will not stop our work. We will keep working to let the world know the real situation in Burma."

Since the September 2007 Saffron Revolution, the Burmese authorities have cracked down on Burmese who send photos or video critical of the military government to exiled news media or opposition groups.

At least 13 journalists and bloggers are currently in Burma's prisons.

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