American journalist Danny Fenster released from Myanmar prison

American journalist Danny Fenster was released from Myanmar’s Insein prison after he was sentenced to 11 years by a military court.

Myanmar’s military government had “pardoned” Fenster before releasing him on “humanitarian grounds.” Former US Ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson played an important role in Danny’s release.

Richardson led the negotiations with the Myanmar Junta. He held direct talks with General Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s military ruler since February.

Fenster is now aboard a flight taking him out of Myanmar and to Qatar before being flown back to the US.

Danny Fenster was the managing editor at Frontier Myanmar, an English-language news magazine.

He was arrested on charges of “dissent” against the military after February’s coup, and “breaching immigration law.” Fenster was convicted on these charges and was still to face further charges of “sedition” and “terrorism” on Tuesday.

Conviction on those charges would have meant a life sentence. Danny was released just hours before the beginning of his trial on those charges.

Danny Fenster spent 176 days in prison, his trial in which he was convicted for 11 years took place in the same prison where he was being detained. He is just one of countless journalists being detained in Myanmar.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has welcomed his release and said Danny was “wrongfully detained for almost 6 months.”

Blinken is also urging Myanmar to release all others being “unjustly” imprisoned.

Myanmar Coup

Myanmar’s military faced a massive defeat in the 2020 elections at the hands of the National League for Democracy. About four months later, it launched a deadly coup.

The military alleged that the ruling Party had rigged the results. Myanmar’s Election Commission however, has deemed the elections fair.

Protestors took to the streets after the coup, leading to a massive crackdown which resulted in over a 1,000 deaths. A crackdown on journalists and “dissenters” was soon followed and dozens of journalists were arrested.

About 8,000 people overall were detained, charged and/or sentenced in Myanmar. They are still in prison with the majority awaiting their “trials.”