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Alert

Sports journalist Zaw Thet Htwe's death sentence commuted

(RSF/IFEX) - On 12 May 2004, Burma's Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of four people, including sports journalist Zaw Thet Htwe. Their sentences were reduced to three years in prison.

RSF and the Burma Media Association (BMA) welcomed the Supreme Court decision to quash the death sentence against the journalist and his co-accused.

The Supreme Court judges' decision discredits the military government's absurd accusation that Zaw Thet Htwe was involved in a conspiracy against the military junta, RSF said. The organisation joined the BMA in calling for Zaw Thet Htwe's immediate release.

Zaw Thet Htwe's three co-defendants - Min Kyi, Aye Myint and Zaw Myo Htet - were charged with sending reports to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Five other defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment. Their families were only notified of the verdicts the following day.

In early April, their lawyer, U Naing Ngwe Ya, said, "They were not found in possession of any explosives or anti-government documents (. . .). There was no act of treason and they should be immediately and unconditionally released."

Zaw Thet Htwe's wife, Ma Khine Cho Zaw Win, is expected to be allowed to visit her husband in Insein prison on 23 May.