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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."

AP journalist Thein Zaw spends birthday in prison in Myanmar

Thein Zaw faces a charge that could send him to prison for three years.

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

Associated Press (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.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

AP journalist Thein Zaw spends birthday in prison in Myanmar

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