【端傳媒聲明 Initium Media Announcement】
On 23 August, the photo-journalist Initium Media assigned to cover the serial bombings in Thailand was detained at Bangkok Airport as he was about to board a flight back to Hong Kong. Our photo-journalist was carrying a bulletproof vest, which was deemed a "weapon" by the Thailand authority. Initium Media has sent personnel to Bangkok to handle the matter and hired local counsel to represent the journalist. A hearing on this matter was held on 24 August. After the hearing, our journalist was released on bail, but he is not allowed to leave Thailand. As the legal proceedings are in progress, Initium Media is not in a position to make further comments. However, we will closely monitor the situation and provide all assistance necessary to protect our journalist’s legal rights.
泰國爆炸事件發生後，端傳媒攝影記者第一時間趕赴泰國採訪，8月23日晚結束採訪乘搭飛機返港時，被曼谷當局以行李內有一件避彈衣並認定其為「武器」為由，在曼谷機場被扣查。端傳媒已經派員前往曼谷協助，聘請律師提供法律支持。相關案件8月24日早上在曼谷提訊。聆訊之後，法官同意攝影記者交保獲釋，但仍然不準離開泰國。事件已進入司法程序，端傳媒不方便具體評論，但會密切關注事件進展，並會為記者的法律權利提供一切必要協助。
外國記者協會泰國分會今早發佈聲明指出，各國的新聞工作者使用避彈衣和頭盔是一種常態，2010年曾有外國記者在曼谷政治動盪中中槍身亡，更凸顯了這些保護衣著的重要性。協會表示，過往已和泰國官方提及該問題，務求令新聞工作者可以購買、進口、和携带防衛衣著。泰國媒體界亦已多次敦促泰政府。外國記者協會敦促泰國當局不要繼續起訴記者，而和泰國國內的媒體社會合作，務求把防衛衣著或其他純粹保護性裝備合法化。
外國記者協會就相關事件的聲明如下：http://fccthai.com/items/1727.html
《海峽時報》報導：http://bit.ly/1JumUXP
圖爲遭曼谷當局扣查的同事Anthony Kwan在泰國期間拍攝的相片。
#FreeKwan #避彈衣不是武器
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