Mizzima News

A reporter of a Rangoon-based weekly journal—'Ecovision', has been charged with 'committing crimes against public tranquility' and 'inciting hatred against the government'.

Ma Eint Khaing Oo, of Ecovision was produced before the Tamwe Township Court in Rangoon Division for the first time today and charged under Section 505(b) and 124(a) of the Criminal Code.

"She was brought from Tamwe police station, produced before the Court and charged her under section 505(b) and 124(a) of the Criminal Code. After which, she was taken back to Insein prison in the evening," her relative who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal by the authority told Mizzima after visiting her in Court today.

Eint Khaing Oo, a law graduate was employed by the Rangoon-based weekly journal only two months ago. She was arrested, while she was covering the plight of the cyclone victims, who had approached Rangoon-based INGOs for more aid. Initially, she was kept in police custody at Tamwe police station and then produced before the Court. Her family is still looking for a lawyer to defend her.

About 30 cyclone victims from the ravaged South Dagon Township in Rangoon, tried to approach Rangoon-based INGOs to ask for more aid as they were receiving inadequate aid and assistance from the government. They were arrested on their way to these INGO's offices. Some of them were released later.