Myanmar’s junta charged The Irrawaddy’s former photojournalist Zaw Zaw with incitement on Monday, according to his lawyer.
Zaw Zaw was detained in Mandalay in April and later sent to the city’s Obo Prison. He stopped working for The Irrawaddy last year.
His lawyer U Myo Min Zaw said that the police submitted the case to the court on Monday, charging Zaw Zaw with incitement under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code.
Zaw Zaw appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.
“He looks fine and in good health,” said his lawyer.
He added that his client thought that he had been charged for a Facebook post in which he denounced the junta.
But U Myo Min Zaw declined to confirm the exact reason for the charge as he was still waiting for access to the police file submitted to the court.
Another court hearing for Zaw Zaw is set for next Wednesday.
Since last year’s coup, the military regime has arrested over 140 media workers, of whom around 60 remain behind bars.
