Today Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09) released the following update on the case of Danny Fenster of Huntington Woods, MI, a journalist unjustly imprisoned by the Burmese military since May 24.
"While we have established telephone access between Danny, his family and U.S. officials, the Burmese military has continued to deny in-person access to Danny as required by the Vienna Convention. Worryingly, during the latest call we learned that Danny began experiencing chest congestion and fever earlier this week and has not been tested for COVID. Danny received some decongestants and was feeling somewhat better at the time of the call, but he is not receiving adequate medical care.
"Unfortunately, Insein Prison, where Danny is being held, is experiencing a COVID outbreak among staff and inmates. Prison officials claim to have the situation under control, but all hearings and trials—including Danny's next hearing on July 15—will be virtual. The COVID situation in Burma generally and Yangon in particular continues to deteriorate. Accurate information is difficult to obtain, but the country is under lockdown.
"Anticipating that the COVID situation in Yangon was worsening, our Embassy began requesting that they be allowed to vaccinate Danny weeks ago. Unfortunately, those requests have not yet been successful. The junta has signaled that they will handle Danny's case in a similar manner to the cases of Burmese American journalist Nathan Maung and Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi. Both of them have been released. We have been trying to get an idea of a timeline for Danny's case, but have received no details from the junta.
"This is obviously immensely concerning. Prison officials claim Danny does not have COVID but have provided no evidence to back up that claim. We are redoubling our efforts to obtain his earliest possible release for health reasons—as well as because he is completely innocent of any wrongdoing under Burmese law, and we believe the regime has concluded they should let him go.
"I'm so grateful for all the solidarity in the fight to #BringDannyHome. I will continue to work daily for his immediate and unconditional release."
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/levin-releases-update-imprisoned-journalist-danny-fenster
