[8] In February 2021, the Burmese military staged a coup d'état and quickly curtailed press freedoms.
[9] The publishing licence of his former employer, Myanmar Now, was revoked in early March, but the outlet continued to report clandestinely.
[8] Fenster was detained by authorities on 24 May 2021 at Yangon International Airport, while waiting to board a flight to visit his family in Detroit.
[2] Fenster was charged for incitement, also known as sedition, for allegedly spreading false or inflammatory information, under Section 17(1) of the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act, in connection with his work at Myanmar Now.
[10] On 3 November, the Burmese court rejected Fenster's bail application and authorities levied a new charge against him, of violating immigration law.