A military court has acquitted two soldiers on trial for the shooting death of a freelance journalist, according to Myanmar's human rights body.
A statement from the government-sponsored Myanmar National Human rights commission said a military court in northeastern Myanmar acquitted the soldiers, Lance Corporal Kyaw Kyaw Aung and Private Naing Lin Tun, on trial for the killing of journalist Ko Par Gyi. No details were given.
The statement said the commission had recommended that the case be heard in a civil court for transparency, but that it was tried in a military court.
Ko Par Gyi was killed in October after he was detained by the military while covering clashes between the army and ethnic Karen rebels. The military claims he was shot as he tried to escape.
A lawyer for the journalist's family said Tuesday that the army chief still needs to approve the court decision, while his wife said she will file an objection.
“The decision for acquittal is not final until the commander-in-chief approved the decision. We don't want revenge but justice,” said Robert San Aung, a prominent lawyer representing the deceased's family.
