View source for Amal Clooney joins legal fight to free journalists held in Burma

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney will represent two [http://Www.stockhouse.com/search?searchtext=journalists%20detained journalists detained] in Burma.<br><br>Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo - reporters for the Reuters news agency - are being held in a Yangon prison after being arrested in December.<br><br>They are being held under the country�s Official Secrets Act, a statute which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.<br><br>Amal Clooney specialises in international law and human rights (Jonathan Brady/PA)<br><br>The journalists had been working on an investigation into the [http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=usagov&query=massacre massacre] of 10 Rohingya men and boys in the Rakhine State.<br><br>Barrister Ms Clooney, who specialises in international law and human rights, confirmed on Thursday that she has joined their legal team.<br><br>�Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are being prosecuted simply because they reported the news,� she said.<br><br>�I have reviewed the case file and it is clear beyond doubt that the two journalists are innocent and should be released immediately.<br><br>�Yet they have been denied bail and face 14 years in prison.<br><br>�The outcome of this case will tell us a lot about [http://burmatourist.com/ myanmar tourist]�s commitment to the rule of law and freedom of speech.�<br><br>Gail Gove, Reuters� chief counsel, added: �We will pursue all avenues to secure our reporters� release.<br><br>�Retaining Ms Clooney greatly strengthens our international legal expertise and allows us to broaden those efforts.�<br><br>Advertisement