The Myanmar police said that two journalists from Singapore and Malaysia were detained for flying a drone in the parliament premises in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on October 28, Saturday. Both of them are the employees of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation commonly known as TRT.
A report by TRT World mentioned that Lau Hon Meng is the journalist from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia. Both are taken into custody for further investigation and police is interrogating them for their unacceptable activity.
A local police officer said that Meng and Lin, both the journalists, were taken to the police station situated in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw. However, both of them have valid visas and the news organization are now trying to release their employees soon.
"We are still investigating and can't say more than that," said Shwe Thaung, an officer from the Naypyitaw police station.
On the other hand, Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV said that Meng and Lin did not have the authority for filming a parliament compound with a drone. MRTV also mentioned that Myanmar's ministry of foreign affairs has informed the embassies of Singapore and Malaysia.
"They were now facing charges under the Import and Export law for possessing a drone that was imported to the country without permission," Sann Aung an officer from Zebu Thiri police station told Anadolu Agency.
"Based on the ongoing investigation, they will probably face further charges," the police officer further added.
Local police arrested another person named Aung Naing Soe, who was working with Meng and Lin as an interpreter. Police also seized his computer and memory stick and searched his house for other evidence and documents in Yangon.
"I asked them to show me the search warrant. But the police said they didn't need to do that because they were not searching for drugs," the mother of Aung said.
"The search warrant would be necessary if they were searching for drugs or illegal card games, but in this instance, it's OK if the local administrator is there" said Ye Win Tun, an administrator who was in the search troop.
