The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) arrested two reporters in Hpakant Township, Kachin State on 29 and 30 September, according to friends and local residents.
A person close to the detained reporters stated, “I believe armed men took Ko Tar Lin Maung from his home on 29 September. Eyewitnesses reported that those who arrested the duo were members of the KIA. At that time, Ko Tar was not home. He didn’t try to escape because he knew they were there to arrest him. He went willingly because he wanted to resolve any issues.”
The two detained journalists are Ko Tar Lin Maung and Ko Hnaung Yoe. Both are freelance reporters covering news in Hpakant Township.
The persons close to them say that Ko Tar Lin Maung is a local reporter and a freelance journalist for Red News Agency, while Ko Hnaung Yoe is a freelance reporter.
Regarding the arrest of reporter Ko Tar Lin Maung, his friends said that it might be related to a post he made prior to his arrest.
“Both of them are reporting news in Hpakant. Ko Tar Lin Maung also shared strong criticisms on Facebook. He primarily writes about wars and various interests,” said someone close to Ko Tar Lin Maung.
“The day before his arrest, he posted on social media about some KIA officials smuggling people while abusing their power. I can’t say for certain if this is connected to his arrest. As for Hnaung Yoe, I don’t know the reason for his arrest.”
Friends of the two journalists reported that they have not been able to make any contact with them since their arrest.
About the arrests of two reporters by the KIA, Colonel Naw Bu, Spokesperson of the KIO/KIA said: “I have not heard that news. That’s why I think I need to confirm it further.”
The Kachin News Group (KNG) is continuing to investigate the reasons behind the KIA’s arrest of the two reporters.
Of the detained reporters, freelance reporter Ko Hnaung Yoe got arrested on 9 March 2021. He was released on 3 October 2022.
Before the military coup, reporter Ko Tar Lin Maung served as a staff at the Information and Public Relations Department. Following the coup, he joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and continued his work as a journalist.
Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar has become one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with over 200 detained in the past three years, according to the latest report from the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL).
From February 2021 coup until February 2024, the military council arrested 206 journalists from nearly 100 media outlets, including 31 female reporters, according to the ICNL.
Sent by KNG