Two Reuters journalists freed Tuesday have vowed to continue writing stories affecting the local people.
The two, Wa Lone, 33 and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29 were arrested in December of 2017 after they highlighted the murder of 10 Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state.
Swamped by media and well-wishers as they walked through the gates of Insein Prison, a grinning Wa Lone gave a thumbs up and said he was grateful for the international efforts to secure their freedom.
“I’m really happy and excited to see my family and my colleagues. I can’t wait to go to my newsroom,” he said.
In their report, the journalists compiled statements from witnesses, perpetrators and family members of the victims who had undergone the purge by government.
A UN report revealed that about 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled the Asian country into Bangladesh after the massacre.
Walking free from the infamous Insein Prison, the International community voiced their praise on the decision, saying that it paves the way for true democracy in Myanmar.
The arrest and subsequent conviction of the two journalists brought sharp criticism on the Myanmar government from all over the world.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has hailed the country for exercising the pardon, saying he felt “relieved.”