Rights Groups Call For Investigation into Kidnapping of Exiled Burmese Journalist - 2004-06-04

Human rights groups are calling for an investigation of the apparent kidnapping of a Malaysian-based Burmese journalist who says he was held by several men claiming to belong to a special branch of Malaysia's police Tuesday.

Burmese national Minn Kyaw, who is editor of a pro-democracy Internet news site, was on his way to try to interview Burma's prime minister as he arrived in Malaysia for a one-day visit. He said he was beaten while being interrogated about his support for Burma's pro-democracy movement.

Malaysian police say they have no knowledge of the incident and are investigating.

The groups Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association have called on the government in Kuala Lumpur to investigate the incident. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists also has called on Malaysian authorities to conduct a full and complete investigation.

Information for this report is provided by AFP and Reuters.