Family vows to win freedom of US journalist imprisoned in Myanmar for 100 days
- Myanmar’s government has accused Danny Fenster, managing editor of Yangon news outlet Frontier Myanmar, of incitement, saying he spread false information
- Fenster’s family want to raise awareness about his detention and call for his immediate release. If convicted, Fenster faces up to three years in prison
The parents and brother of an American journalist who has been detained in Myanmar for 100 days vowed on Tuesday to never stop working to secure his release.
Danny Fenster, 37, is managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, an independent online news outlet based in Yangon, the Southeast Asian nation’s largest city. He was detained on May 24 while trying to board a flight to visit his family who live in the Detroit area, and is being held in Yangon’s Insein Prison.
“We’re just trying to stay tough – as tough as Danny is – and we’re not going to stop until we get him home,” Buddy Fenster, his father, said during a news conference held via Zoom.
Myanmar’s military-installed government accuses Fenster of incitement, saying he spread false or inflammatory information. If convicted, Fenster could be imprisoned for up to three years.
Military officials say they are not suppressing press freedom by holding the journalist, but that limits on publishing information are needed to prevent violence and disorder. The junta has detained dozens of journalists since it took power in February this year.
Fenster’s next hearing is scheduled for next week, according to his brother, Bryan Fenster.