Family calls for release of detained journalist

The family of US journalist Danny Fenster (pic) appealed for his release by Myanmar authorities as they marked his 100th day of imprisonment by the Yangon military regime.

Fenster is believed to have contracted Covid-19 during his detention, family members said during a conference call with American journalists.

He appeared to be suffering from “brain fog” and a loss of taste and smell during his last call with family members Aug 1 but had not been tested, his mother Rose Fenster said.

His mother said there had been only limited communication with him in Myanmar even as efforts were made by the US embassy and others to secure his freedom.

“It’s been a tough 100 days – it’s hard to believe it’s 100 days – but we are grateful for our community’s support,” she said on Tuesday.

The managing editor of the Frontier Myanmar news outlet, Fenster has been under investigation under a law criminalising dissent that carries a maximum three-year jail sentence.

The journalist’s father Buddy Fenster said he was optimistic about the prospects for his son’s release.

“They haven’t charged him, and I think that’s something,” he said.

Danny’s brother Bryan Fenster added that the journalist was not an activist or even a working reporter but “someone who was sitting behind a desk”.

The family’s appeal comes days ahead of Fenster’s upcoming Sept 6 hearing, with no clear information about the next steps. — AFP