Myanmar Times editor-in-chief arrested
Published: 12/02/2011 at 03:07 PM
Online news: Local News

The editor-in-chief and CEO of the Myanmar Times, Australian journalist and businessman Ross Dunkley, has been arrested in Rangoon.

His detention was confirmed on Saturday by David Armstrong, chairman of Post Media Ltd, publishers of the Phnom Penh Post. Mr Dunkley is also the publisher of the Phnom Penh Post.

Mr Armstrong expressed deep concern over the arrest.

“Ross Dunkley was arrested in Yangon (Rangoon) under Myanmar's Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act, Section 13(1) on Thursday, Feb 10 after returning from a business trip to Tokyo," Mr Armstrong said in a statement issued in Phnom Penh.

“Some reports of the reasons for his arrest have been seriously inaccurate.

"A key point about the arrest is timing. It coincides with tense and protracted discussions Mr Dunkley and the foreign ownership partners in the Myanmar Times have been conducting with local partners about the future direction of the publishing group, ownership issues and senior leadership roles – all this at a time of significant political and economic change in Myanmar."

He said Mr Dunkley is being detained in the notorious Insein prison until his next scheduled court appearance on Feb 24.

“His lawyers in Yangon say Mr Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him and is looking forward to returning to lead the Myanmar Times group in the exciting times ahead – for the publishers and the country."

BANGKOK POST