Myanmar to grant families access to two Reuters journalists after remand period expires-media

YANGON: Two Reuters journalists detained in Myanmar will be allowed to meet their families once their first 14day period of remand expires, according to local media reports.

Reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been in detention for 11 days in an undisclosed location and have had no access to their families, lawyers or colleagues.

They were arrested after being invited to meet police officials over dinner on the outskirts of Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon on Dec 12. The authorities are investigating whether they violated the country’s colonialera Official Secrets Act, which has a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

“After the first remand (expires), they will be able to meet their families. They will be sent to the court for testimonies,” Tin Myint, permanent secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs, was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia.

In Myanmar, those remanded must be brought to court within 14 days. But it’s not immediately clear when the pair was first remanded and whether the authorities will seek court approval to remand them for a second 14- day period.

The Home Affairs Ministry did not responded to several requests for comments.

Family members of the two journalists say they have not received any official ccommunication about the question of remand or the investigation, and neither has Reuters. — Reuters