A court in Shan state on Monday freed a Polish photojournalist who had 11 nights in detention after taking pictures of a protest, according to local media.
Robert Bociaga, 30, whose work has been featured in publications such as CNN and The Diplomat, was fined 200,000 kyats under section 13(1) of the Immigration Act, which bans foreigners from entering Myanmar without a valid visa or passport.
Fears were raised for Bociaga’s safety after a photograph of him emerged with one arm raised in a protective stance, surrounded by Myanmar military soldiers in Taunggyi on March 11.
A reporter for local Khit Thit Media wrote on Facebook that he was beaten up and injured.
His whereabouts were unknown until today, when Eleven Media Group reported that he had been held in Taunggyi Police Station and was released by the township court on the afternoon of March 22.
Arrangements are being made by the German embassy, which represents Polish citizens in Myanmar, to repatriate the photographer, according to the prosecutor in the case, who said Bociaga overstayed his visa.
“The police work is over,” he told Eleven Media. “I think he will be sent back from Taunggyi to the [German] embassy.”
He added that Bociaga was questioned during his detention. Myanmar Mix has contacted the photographer for comment.
