Mar 18, 2021 - World

AP journalist Thein Zaw spends birthday in prison in Myanmar

Mike Allen

Picture of Thein Zaw — Thein Zaw in Yangon, Myanmar. Photo: Family via AP

Thein Zaw, an AP journalist arrested in Myanmar on Feb. 27 while covering demonstrations against a coup, is spending his 33rd birthday in prison.

Why it matters: He faces a charge that could send him to prison for three years; his next hearing will be March 24.

Context: Zaw was arrested as he was photographing police, some of them armed, charging down a street at anti-coup protesters, AP reports.

A video shows that although he stepped to the side of the street to get out of their way, several police rushed over and surrounded him.

AP Asia-Pacific News Director Adam Schreck said: "His images and brave reporting for the global news agency — and the work of other detained journalists in Myanmar — helped illuminate what is happening in one of the world's hardest to cover countries."

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AP journalist Thein Zaw spends birthday in prison in Myanmar

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