Japanese reporter recounts Myanmar detention ordeal

An arrested Japanese reporter, who returned to Japan a week ago after being released by Myanmar's ruling junta, spoke on Friday about the abuse prisoners face in Myanmar.

While quarantining at home, Yuki Kitazumi spoke remotely at a press conference hosted in Tokyo.

Kitazumi was released as a gesture of friendship to Japan.

Kitazumi, a freelance journalist, said he was held in what was like a VIP area of the prison and he did not suffer any abuse during his time in prison but was told stories from other prisoners about the torture they suffered.

He re-called stories being shared about prisoners being blindfolded, handcuffed and in a kneeling position on the concrete floor being beaten for 2-3 days.

The military seized power on Feb. 1, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

It has faced large, constant popular opposition, which it has tried to suppress by using force.

Kitazumi was the first foreign journalist to be charged under a statute which the state press has described as aiming at "fake news."

Hours before his arrest, he posted a video showing Myanmar citizens gathering at a Tokyo temple to pay tribute to people killed by Myanmar security forces trying to quell protests.

Kitazumi had been detained briefly by police in late February while covering pro-democracy protests in Myanmar.

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