Journalist Sai Zaw Thaike wins RSF Courage Award
Burmese photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, who’s serving a 20-year sentence with hard labor for “treason” in Yangon Region’s Insein Prison since 2023, was awarded the Courage Prize by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) at the 34th edition of the Press Freedom Awards ceremony in Marseilles, France, on Monday. He was arrested by police in Arakan State while reporting on the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May 2023.
The RSF Courage Prize “recognizes a journalist or media agency that has shown courage in practising, defending or promoting journalism in a hostile environment,” according to the RSF statement. Sai Zaw Thaike is reportedly being denied surgery for kidney disease and hemorrhoids, in addition to facing “daily physical abuses” while in prison, according to his employer Myanmar Now and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
At least 21 independent media outlets, including DVB, have had their licences revoked since the 2021 coup, according to DVB data. Burma currently holds at least 18 journalists behind bars, according to CPJ, and has ranked second worldwide in the group’s annual prison census. RSF called for stronger international action to end the criminalization of journalism and to better protect media workers worldwide.
Over 280 political prisoners killed since 2021 coup
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) released a statement on Monday to mark the three-year anniversary of its founding, reporting that a total of 282 political prisoners have died in prisons nationwide from inadequate healthcare and human rights abuses since the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup.
Thaik Tun Oo, the PPNM spokesperson, stated that he has released 110 statements on human rights violations in prisons over the last three years. Amongst those who died from inadequate medical care were 148 political prisoners, including an LGBTQ+ individual. Seventy-five prisoners have been killed by prison authorities and 59 died during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28, 2025.
He added that PPNM will continue to advocate for political prisoners and call on the international community to assist in achieving their immediate release from unjust imprisonment. The Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP) has documented that 22,145 people remain in detention in Burma for opposing the 2021 coup.
Myanmar film director Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi dies of cancer
The funeral for Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi, 64, was held at Yangon Region’s Yeway Cemetery hours after his passing, his family and friends told DVB on Tuesday. The film director, poet, and former political prisoner died from liver cancer at an undisclosed location in Yangon. Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi was a lifelong supporter of Burma’s pro-democracy movement and advocated against the return to military rule following the 2021 military coup.
Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi was among the high-profile pro-democracy activists, including Burma’s elected leaders State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, who were arrested on Feb. 1, 2021. He was sentenced to two years in Yangon’s Insein Prison after being convicted under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for “incitement.” He was released from Insein Prison on Nov. 15, 2022.
Prior to that, Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi served one year at Insein Prison after being convicted in 2019 under Section 505(a) for a comment on social media criticizing the military during the National League for Democracy (NLD) administration, which governed 2016-21. He helped organize the Human Rights Human Dignity International Film Festival, which was held annually 2013-17. Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi is survived by his daughter.
News by Region
KAREN—The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) told DVB that thousands of Myawaddy Township residents fled into Thailand after airstrikes were carried out by the Burma Air Force on Tuesday. Myawaddy is located along the Burma-Thailand border 81 miles (130 km) east of the state capital Hpa-An.
A source in the KNLA added that resistance forces launched a new attack on the regime’s Wawlay outpost, located 44 miles (70 km) south of Myawaddy town, on June 2. The number of casualties was not disclosed by either the KNLA nor the regime. The KNLA resumed attacks on the outpost in March.
SAGAING—Two civilians were killed and an unknown number of buildings were destroyed in Khin-U Township’s Seputtara village by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, launched by the Burma Army on Monday. Khin-U is located 70 miles (112 km) northeast of the region’s capital Monywa.
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Khin-U told DVB that they are not deployed in Seputtara village, which has 250 households and is located three miles from Khin-U town. At least four civilians were killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Khin U’s Ywarsin village on May 21.
YANGON—Over 20 people were arrested during a raid at a nightclub in South Okkalapa Township on May 28 and have still not been released by June 1, according to a source close to the regime administration. A source close to the staff of Paradise Entertainment said negotiations are still ongoing for their release.
The source added that nightclubs and bars in Yangon are allowed to operate from 5-11 p.m. during the 100-day plan crime reduction campaign launched by the Yangon Region Police Force on April 23, where they have been instructed to inspect and shut down entertainment venues without operating licenses.
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