Publisher arrested

via CAAI

Saturday, 12 February 2011 15:50 Post Staff

David Armstrong, Chairman of Post Media Ltd, publishers of Phnom Penh Post, today expressed deep concern over the arrest of Australian journalist and businessman Ross Dunkley in Myanmar.

Post Media is a sister company of Myanmar Consolidated Media, publishers of the Myanmar Times. Mr Dunkley is Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Myanmar Times, as well as Publisher of Phnom Penh Post.

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

“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.

“Ross Dunkley is being detained in the notorious Insein prison until his next scheduled court appearance on February 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."