Myanmar court indicts Reuters reporters

YANGON, July 09 (Reuters): A court in Myanmar on Monday charged two jailed Reuters journalists with obtaining secret state documents, moving the landmark press freedom case into its trial stage after six months of preliminary hearings.

Yangon district judge Ye Lwin charged reporters Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, with breaching of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Both journalists pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, telling the judge they had "followed journalistic ethics".

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Wa Lone said he and Kyaw Soe Oo had committed no crime and would testify to their innocence in court.

"We will face the court," he said. "We will not retreat, give up or be shaken by this."