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Perth journalist granted pardon by Burma junta over drug charges, released from prison

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
Former WA journalist Ross Dunkley is surrounded by photographers after his conviction in Burma.
Camera IconFormer WA journalist Ross Dunkley is surrounded by photographers after his conviction in Burma. Credit: Aung Kyaw Oo/Aung Kyaw Oo

Former Perth journalist Ross Dunkley has been released after serving three years of a 13-year drug sentence in a Burma jail.

Dunkley, 63, was released today after receiving a pardon from Burma’s military junta.

He is believed to be among 23,047 other inmates, including 163 foreigners, to be pardoned.

Dunkley — the co-founder of the Myanmar Times — was convicted of drug offences in 2019 after Burmese police found heroin, crystal meth and marijuana in his Yangon home in 2018.

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Ross Dunkley, centre, founder and editor of Myanmar English journal "The Myanmar Times," reads a newspaper at the Kamayut township court after a hearing at a court in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, March. 29, 2011.
Camera IconRoss Dunkley, centre, founder and editor of Myanmar English journal "The Myanmar Times," reads a newspaper at the Kamayut township court after a hearing at a court in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, March. 29, 2011. Credit: Khin Maung Win/AP
A protester holds a placard with an image of Burma military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and ‘Justice For Myanmar’ as fellow protesters march around Mandalay, Burma on Monday, February 8, 2021.
Camera IconA protester holds a placard with an image of Burma military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and ‘Justice For Myanmar’ as fellow protesters march around Mandalay, Burma on Monday, February 8, 2021. Credit: AP
A policeman aims a slingshot towards an unknown target during a crackdown on anti-coup protesters holding a rally in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank in Mandalay, Myanmar on Monday, February 15, 2021.
Camera IconA policeman aims a slingshot towards an unknown target during a crackdown on anti-coup protesters holding a rally in front of the Myanmar Economic Bank in Mandalay, Myanmar on Monday, February 15, 2021. Credit: AP

Around 800 meth-based pills and 300 grams of crystal meth were among the illicit substances found.

He was sentenced to 13 years behind bars in Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison in 2019, which was later reduced to seven years.

It remains unclear whether any of the 3000 political prisoners locked-up since the military coup have been released.

Burma has become a state gripped by fear and violence after the military seizure, as the junta over-powered the pro-democracy movement. It is believed 728 deaths have been caused by the coup — including dozens of children.

Citizens of Burma have taken to the streets since the take-over, demanding the release of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi from military holding.

Ms Suu Kyi is facing various charges including violating the country’s official secrets act.

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