He spent nearly six months in prison in Burma, where an American journalist was released and returned home.

Danny Fenster, an American journalist who was sentenced to 11 years in prison after serving nearly six months in Burma's military dictatorship, was released on Monday. He is on his way back to the US.

Danny Fenster, an American journalist who spent nearly six months in a military dictatorship in Burma, was released on Monday after serving 11 years of hard labor.

Fenster was handed over to former US diplomat Bill Richardson, who negotiated his release, and the two left Southeast Asia together. An hour later, we arrived in Doha, Qatar.

Fenster, managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar, has been accused of spreading false or inflammatory information. He was convicted Friday of contacting illegal organizations and violating visa regulations. Journalists detained after Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted by the elected government in February. He was one of more than100 media officers or publishers and received the harshest sentence.

Extreme - Danny FENSTER's family

"It's a day of hope when you do this," Richardson, a former governor of New Mexico and former ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement from his office. "Finally, Danny is very grateful to be able to reconnect with his loved ones who have always supported him."

Fenster will return to the United States via Qatar in the next half day. He has been traveling to Detroit to visit his family since his May 24 arrest at Rangoon International Airport.

"We are very pleased that Danny has been released and is on his way home. We can no longer wait to hold him," his family said in a statement. "I want to thank all the people who helped secure his release. In particular, Ambassador Richardson;" I want to thank all the people for their support and for our support. "

What is Danny FENSTER in prison for?

It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Power. Fenster used to work for the site but quit last year.

Arrested journalists in Myanmar

According to the United Nations, at least 126 journalists; Media officers or publishers were detained by the military, and 47 were not charged but all were detained.

Of the seven convicted journalists, six and four were released in a mass amnesty in October.

Reactions came in.

"We welcome the release of Daniel Fenster, an American journalist who has been unjustly detained in Burma for nearly six months." "Danny is delighted to be reunited with his family soon, as he continues to call for the release of others imprisoned in Burma."

Thomas Kean, editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar, echoed those sentiments.

"Danny is one of many journalists in Burma who have been wrongfully arrested for their work since the February coup," he said.

What did the Burmese army say?

The military said in a statement on state television that Fenster had been released at the request of Richardson and the chairman of the Japan-Myanmar Friendship Association. Unlike the United States and the European Union, Japan wants to see better relations between Burma and the West, rather than taking a public confrontation with a military-armed government.

"The Burmese generals believe it is not worth keeping Danny," Andy Levin, a US envoy from Michigan, told Detroit Radio WWJ. "She is innocent and a nuisance to them. If they had kept him, we would never have forgotten. We will never forgive them."

Who is behind the liberation?

Richardson said Fenster's release was discussed during a face-to-face meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Richardson is known for traveling to underprivileged countries like Washington to gain the freedom of detained Americans. Most recently, he was involved in the search for freedom for American citizens detained in Venezuela.

Suu Kyi, a former member of the US Congress, met with Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest under the previous junta in 1994, at her home, and has had a long history of involvement with Burma since 1994.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Richardson said that during his recent visit to Burma, he talks focused on providing humanitarian assistance to Burma, especially the provision of the Covid-19 vaccine. The mission also freed Aye Moe, who had worked on women's empowerment at Richardson's home as a young woman.

Asked if there was any hope for Fenster's release, the AP said: "There is always hope. Do not ask again."

'Fake'

Shawn Crispin, Southeast Asia representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Fenster said "Fenster should never be sentenced to life in prison on false charges."

"The Burmese junta must stop using journalists as collateral for their vicious games and release all other journalists who have been charged." Crispin continued.

Prosecutors at Fenster's office said in a statement that the Ministry of Information had ordered Fenster to continue hiring this year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Information ordering the closure of several outlets.

Fenster announced his departure from Myanmar Now last year, both of which were publicly announced by both of his former employers, along with testimonials that his lawyer worked for Frontier Myanmar. However, the judge considered the letter sent by the Ministry of Information without proving it to any government official.

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