In a landmark case seen as a test of progress toward democracy in the Southeast Asian country, a Myanmar judge on Monday found two Reuters journalists guilty of breaching a law on state "secrets," sentencing them to seven years in prison.
Yangon Northern District Judge Ye Lwin said Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, had breached the colonial-era Official Secrets Act when they collected and obtained confidential documents.
"The defendants . . . have breached Official Secrets Act section 3.1.c, and are sentenced to seven years," the judge said, adding that the time served since they were detained on Dec. 12 will be taken into account. The defense can appeal the decision to the regional court and then the Supreme Court.