Media coverage on Canadian being detained in Burma

By Canadian Friends of Burma – April 6, 2011

Ron Zakreski, 61 years- old Canadian from Vancouver Inland, was arrested by
Burmese authorities near the Thai-Burma border town – Myawaddy – on Mar. 24. He
is reported to be taking photographs of the location of a battle between ethnic rebel
forces and the Burmese army when being arrested.

Initially reported by Thai-based Burmese news agency Irrawaddy with further

reporting from other exiled Burmese media such as Mizzima and Democratic
Voice of Burma (DVB), the news in Canada was finally brought up by Canadian
wire services – Canadian Press and Postmedia – on April 1. Newspapers across
Canada have started reporting on the news since then. While more information is
still required, Canadian diplomats in Bangkok are reportedly working to get access
to him.

According to his siblings, he is a veteran traveler and from time to time works as a
journalist and photographer. He is a psychologist by profession and a graduate of
University of Saskatchewan.

Earlier this year, two photojournalists were also arrested by Thai authorities after
crossing back from Burma to Thailand. Last year November, a Japanese
photographer was also arrested in Myawaddy.

The porous border between Burma and Thailand allows adventurous journalists and
foreigners easy access to conflict zones. However, Foreign Affairs and International
Trade Canada advises against all travel to areas along the border due to clashes
between the military and armed ethnic groups.

-Canadian Friends of Burma (www.cfob.org)

A photo of detained Canadian Ron Zakreski - Photo handed out by Zakreski’s
family.

No News Not Good News for Family of Burma Jailed Man (Video news)
ATV - April 4, 2011 http://www.atv.ca/victoria/4994_75802.aspx

Canadian photographer in court

DVB - 4 April 2011 - http://www.dvb.no/news/canadian-photographer-in-court/15149

Canadian detained in Burma

The Province via Postmedia - April 3, 2011
http://www.theprovince.com/Canadian+detained+Burma/4551163/story.html

Former Victoria resident detained in Myanmar

Times Colonist – April 3, 2011
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/victoria/Former+Victoria+resident+detained+M
yanmar/4550451/story.html

Canadian man taking photographs detained in Burma

Ottawa Citizen via Postmedia – April 2, 2011
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Canadian+detained+Burma/4549226/story.htm
l

Canadian man taking photographs detained in Burma

Vancouver Sun via Postmedia- April 2, 2011
http://www.vancouversun.com/Canadian+taking+photographs+detained+Burma/4
550410/story.html

Canadian detained in Burma

CBC via Canadian Press - Apr 1, 2011
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/01/burma-canadian-detained.html

Canadian detained in Burma after crossing from Thailand

CTV News via Canadian Press - Apr. 2, 2011
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110402/canadian-detained-burma-110402/

Canadian detained in Myanmar after crossing border from Thailand

680 News via Canadian Press - Apr 01, 2011
http://www.680news.com/news/national/article/206576--canadian-detained-in-
myanmar-after-crossing-border-from-thailand

Canadian who illegally entered Burma to be prosecuted

The Mizzima News - Friday, 01 April 2011 19:29
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/5104-canadian-who-illegally-entered-
burma-to-be-prosecuted.html

Canadian Arrested in Myawaddy

The Irrawaddy News - Thursday, March 24, 2011
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21005

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The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is federally incorporated, national non-
governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma.
Contact: Suite 206, 145 Spruce St., Ottawa, K1R 6P1; Tel: 613.237.8056; Email:
cfob@cfob.org; Web: www.cfob.org