A <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/frenchman-jailed-for-one-month-for-flying-drone-in-myanmar-200248">French tourist arrested in Myanmar</a> for flying a drone near parliament has avoided a lengthy prison sentence and will be deported after being released from jail Wednesday.

Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained on February 7 in the capital Naypyidaw and was sentenced to a month in prison under an import-export law forbidding the use of banned goods brought in from abroad without a licence.

The Frenchman denied any knowledge of Myanmar's strict regulations for the use of drones around religious and government sites.

On his release on Wednesday, Desclaux was charged again under the immigration and aircraft laws -- the former holding a possible sentence of up to three years.

But the judge chose to hand out two fines totalling 150,000 kyat ($100) instead of sending Desclaux back to prison.

"He is a foreigner, not familiar with the laws in Myanmar and he has also already been sentenced under the import-export law," Judge Sulab Yadanar Oo told the court.

"That's why he will only receive a light sentence under these charges."&nbsp; 
It remains unclear why he was flying the drone.

Desclaux was later taken to the immigration department before his expected deportation from the country.

In 2017 a crew making a documentary for Turkish broadcaster TRT was also detained after flying a drone outside the vast parliamentary complex.

They confessed, expecting to receive a fine, but were sentenced to two months in prison under the aircraft act.&nbsp;

A French tourist arrested in Myanmar for flying a drone near parliament has avoided a lengthy prison sentence and will be deported after being released from jail Wednesday.

A French tourist arrested in Myanmar for flying a drone near parliament has avoided a lengthy prison sentence and will be deported after being released from jail Wednesday. Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained on February 7 in the capital Naypyidaw and was sentenced to a month in prison under an import-export law forbidding the use of banned goods brought in from abroad without a licence. The Frenchman denied any knowledge of Myanmar's strict regulations for the use of drones around religious and government sites. On his release on Wednesday, Desclaux was charged again under the immigration and aircraft laws -- the former holding a possible sentence of up to three years. But the judge chose to hand out two fines totalling 150,000 kyat ($100) instead of sending Desclaux back to prison. "He is a foreigner, not familiar with the laws in Myanmar and he has also already been sentenced under the import-export law," Judge Sulab Yadanar Oo told the court. "That's why he will only receive a light sentence under these charges." It remains unclear why he was flying the drone. Desclaux was later taken to the immigration department before his expected deportation from the country. In 2017 a crew making a documentary for Turkish broadcaster TRT was also detained after flying a drone outside the vast parliamentary complex. They confessed, expecting to receive a fine, but were sentenced to two months in prison under the aircraft act.

Drone-flying Frenchman released from Myanmar jail

A French tourist has been sentenced to one month in prison with labour for attempting to fly a drone near Myanmar's parliament, a court official said Wednesday.&nbsp;

Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained on February 7 in the capital and charged under an export-import law which forbids the use of "banned goods" brought in from abroad without obtaining a license.&nbsp;

Myanmar has tight restrictions on drones used in the country, especially around religious and government sites.&nbsp;

Desclaux "confessed" his ignorance about these laws, Judge Sulab Yadanar Oo told the courtroom after the hearing.&nbsp;

"We gave him a light sentence -- one-month imprisonment with labour was given to him as he confessed with sincerity that he was guilty," the judge said.&nbsp;

Speaking outside court after the verdict was delivered, a French embassy official said they were "satisfied that his good faith" was taken into account by the judge in the sentencing.&nbsp;

"That said, a month in prison is still a lot for a simple tourist," said consul Frederic Inza, adding that the embassy will start making sure tourists know the risks.&nbsp;

"We fear that other people might be in the same situation because the use of drones are becoming more and more common."

The harshest sentence for the law could see offenders spending up to three years in prison.&nbsp;

In 2017 journalists Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia were making a documentary for Turkish state broadcaster TRT when they were detained in October 2017 along with Myanmar reporter Aung Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin.&nbsp;

They were flying a drone outside the sprawling parliament complex and confessed to the act thinking that they would receive a fine.&nbsp;

Instead, the four were sentenced to two months in prison under Myanmar's aircraft act.&nbsp;

A French tourist has been sentenced to one month in prison with labour for attempting to fly a drone near Myanmar's parliament, a court official said Wednesday. Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained on February 7 in the capital and charged under an export-import law which forbids the use of "banned goods" brought in from abroad without obtaining a license.

A French tourist has been sentenced to one month in prison with labour for attempting to fly a drone near Myanmar's parliament, a court official said Wednesday. Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained on February 7 in the capital and charged under an export-import law which forbids the use of "banned goods" brought in from abroad without obtaining a license. Myanmar has tight restrictions on drones used in the country, especially around religious and government sites. Desclaux "confessed" his ignorance about these laws, Judge Sulab Yadanar Oo told the courtroom after the hearing. "We gave him a light sentence -- one-month imprisonment with labour was given to him as he confessed with sincerity that he was guilty," the judge said. Speaking outside court after the verdict was delivered, a French embassy official said they were "satisfied that his good faith" was taken into account by the judge in the sentencing. "That said, a month in prison is still a lot for a simple tourist," said consul Frederic Inza, adding that the embassy will start making sure tourists know the risks. "We fear that other people might be in the same situation because the use of drones are becoming more and more common." The harshest sentence for the law could see offenders spending up to three years in prison. In 2017 journalists Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia were making a documentary for Turkish state broadcaster TRT when they were detained in October 2017 along with Myanmar reporter Aung Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin. They were flying a drone outside the sprawling parliament complex and confessed to the act thinking that they would receive a fine. Instead, the four were sentenced to two months in prison under Myanmar's aircraft act.

Frenchman jailed for one month for flying drone in Myanmar

A French tourist facing up to three years in prison for flying a drone near Myanmar's parliament was remanded in custody Friday after a first court appearance.

Frenchman Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained February 7 in Naypyitaw and faces charges under an export-import law.&nbsp;

Myanmar has tight restrictions on drone usage in the country -- especially at religious and government sites.

Desclaux will return to court in five days for his next hearing.

"Today we regret that he is still in prison, we were hoping for a quick solution," French embassy consul Frederic Inza said.

"It is hoped that the next hearing on the 27th will settle his situation and have him released."

Three journalists and their driver spent two months in jail in 2017 after being nabbed with a drone outside the sprawling parliament complex.

Journalists Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia were making a documentary for Turkish state broadcaster TRT when they were detained in October 2017 along with Myanmar reporter Aung Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin.

Expecting to receive a fine, they confessed to flying the drone over parliament but were instead sentenced to two months in prison under Myanmar's aircraft act.

A French tourist facing up to three years in prison for flying a drone near Myanmar's parliament was remanded in custody Friday after a first court appearance. Frenchman Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained February 7 in Naypyitaw and faces charges under an export-import law.

A French tourist facing up to three years in prison for flying a drone near Myanmar's parliament was remanded in custody Friday after a first court appearance. Frenchman Arthur Desclaux, 27, was detained February 7 in Naypyitaw and faces charges under an export-import law. Myanmar has tight restrictions on drone usage in the country -- especially at religious and government sites. Desclaux will return to court in five days for his next hearing. "Today we regret that he is still in prison, we were hoping for a quick solution," French embassy consul Frederic Inza said. "It is hoped that the next hearing on the 27th will settle his situation and have him released." Three journalists and their driver spent two months in jail in 2017 after being nabbed with a drone outside the sprawling parliament complex. Journalists Lau Hon Meng from Singapore and Mok Choy Lin from Malaysia were making a documentary for Turkish state broadcaster TRT when they were detained in October 2017 along with Myanmar reporter Aung Naing Soe and driver Hla Tin. Expecting to receive a fine, they confessed to flying the drone over parliament but were instead sentenced to two months in prison under Myanmar's aircraft act.

French tourist arrested for flying drone appears in Myanmar court

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Drone-flying Frenchman released from Myanmar jail

Frenchman jailed for one month for flying drone in Myanmar

French tourist arrested for flying drone appears in Myanmar court