Wives of jailed Reuters reporters call for their release

YANGON (Reuters) — The wives of two Reuters journalists in Myanmar jailed for seven years on official secrets charges insisted on Tuesday that the men were innocent and called for them to be released and reunited with their young families as soon as possible. A court found the two journalists guilty on Monday in a landmark case seen as a test of progress toward democracy in Myanmar, which was ruled by a military junta until 2011.

killing Wa Lone, of villagers 32, and from Kyaw the Soe Rohingya Oo, 28, were Muslim investigating minority the by security forces and civilians in Rakhine State when they were arrested in December. They had pleaded not guilty.

US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Tuesday that the United States would become more vocal about their situation.

EPA Pan Ei Mon (left) and Chit Su Win, wives of jailed Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, speak with reporters during a press conference in Yangon onTuesday.