"I can't wait to go to my newsroom." Those were among the first words newly freed Reuters journalist Wa Lone spoke upon his release today from Myanmar's Insein prison. He and colleague Kyaw Soe Oo had spent 511 days behind bars.
The two had been sentenced to seven years, a ruling upheld by the country's highest court just last month. Today, they were freed by presidential pardon.
Pulitzer Administrator Dana Canedy said:
Like all who embrace the principles of a free and open press, we are enormously gratified that Reuters journalists and 2019 Pulitzer Prize winners Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo have been released from prison in Myanmar after 511 days of incarceration. They stand as international symbols of the importance of press freedom and have made us all proud with their commitment to journalism under tremendously oppressive circumstances.
Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo's Reuters colleagues have been vocal in their support of the pair, and the wire service's editor-in-chief said today: “We are enormously pleased that Myanmar has released our courageous reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Since their arrests 511 days ago, they have become symbols of the importance of press freedom around the world. We welcome their return."
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney said in a statement: "Since taking on this case over a year ago, I have witnessed incredible determination by Reuters, in particular Editor-in-Chief Steve Adler and Chief Counsel Gail Gove, in their pursuit of justice for their brave reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. It is inspiring to see a news organization so committed to the protection of innocent men and the profession of journalism."
The news was met with an outpouring of support from colleagues and professional competitors alike.
Read Reuters' coverage of their colleagues' imprisonment and release here.
Read the full text of their Pulitzer-winning International Reporting portfolio here.