Bloody saffron revolution

Reporters Without Borders is appalled by the death of a Japanese news photographer on the streets of Rangoon this morning. Another foreign journalist was reportedly injured. The press casualties came after the security forces opened fire on demonstrators near the Tarder Hotel in the centre of Rangoon. link

Meanwhile… One photographer imprisoned and five journalists in jail. Photo-journalist Win Saing was arrested on 28 August while taking photos of activists in the National League for Democracy (NLD) making offerings to monks in Rangoon. After being taken to the Kyaik-ka-san detention centre, he is currently being held at the police station in Thanlyin near Rangoon. He is in danger, as are hundreds of other people arrested in recent weeks, of being mal-treated. link

“It is impossible to believe that the government would brutalize the holy monks,” said one resident of the area who witnessed the melee. “The government is not doing this for stability. This is sacrilege to the religion we believe in…”
“…There are people willing to shoot and people willing to die,” said one Western diplomat of the ongoing showdown in Rangoon…
…The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper claimed that the clash was sparked by protesters throwing stones at the security officers. “On account of the unavoidable circumstances, the members of the security forces fired some shots employing the least force to disperse the mob,” link

The Guardian Newsblog continues it’s excellent rolling coverage.