The lawyer for an American journalist jailed in Myanmar for more than five months says his client has been served with two new criminal charges, including one that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Journalist Danny Fenster is from Huntington Woods and the community has been supporting this family since he was detained in Myanmar as a political prisoner.

Tuesday (Aug. 31) marks the 100th day Huntington Woods native Danny Fenster has been held in a prison in Myanmar.

Media and human rights advocates say journalists in Myanmar are in extreme peril as the military-controlled government cracks down on independent reporting.

“Extremely disappointing as a family,” Bryan Fenster said. “We’re scared. We’re very concerned COVID is bouncing all over this prison."

Metro Detroit journalist Danny Fenster appeared in court on Thursday in Myanmar, where he has been detained since May.

More than a month ago, on May 24, a 37-year-old journalist from the U.S. was detained and thrown in jail, without access to a lawyer or even granted a phone call.

A court in Myanmar extended the detention of American journalist Danny Fenster for another two weeks, while the U.S. State Department urged that it be granted consular access to him.

Here are this morning's top stories.

Danny Fenster is a Berkley High School graduate working as a journalist in war-torn Myanmar.