The editor-in-chief of The Voice has been released on bail following more than two months’ detention in Insein Prison, his lawyer confirmed today.
According to The Democratic Voice of Burma, Kyaw Min Swe had to post MMK10 million in bail. Before this, the defendant had had six bail requests denied.
Kyaw Min Swe was arrested on June 2 after Lieutenant Colonel Tun Tun Oo filed a case under Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law. The charges were brought in response to a Voice article titled “Oath of the Nation of Bullets” that poked fun at the military’s leaders for sitting around talking while ordinary soldiers were being killed. Kyaw Zwa Naing, the author of the article, was also arrested and charged under the law, but was acquitted in June.
However, both Kyaw Zwa Naing and Kyaw Min Swe are also still facing additional charges that were brought against them last month under Article 25(b) of the News Media Law.
Kyaw Min Swe is the fourth person facing 66(d) charges to be granted bail this week. On Sunday, two NLD members who were arrested for taking and sharing a photo of a local village administrator in handcuffs were released on bail. On Monday, Myanmar Now editor Swe Win was granted bail after being arrested at Yangon International Airport the night prior.
Speaking outside of the courthouse today, Kyaw Min Swe said he was ‘surprised’ that the upper house of parliament voted down a law earlier this week that would have removed prison sentences in 66(d) cases.
Kyaw Min Swe’s next hearing is scheduled for August 17. If convicted under 66(d), he faces up to three years in prison as well as a possible monetary fine.
