there is now no higher court that these journalists can take their appeal to the supreme court is nehemias top court so that really does quash any hopes for these journalists of some sort of judicial reprieve that doesn't mean to say though that all hopes are lost their supporters have been putting out statements today saying that they will continue to do all they can to secure the release of these journalists a lawyer for the two men has also said that perhaps petitioning the president is an option of myanmar is an option that they will consider at the moment there is no sign of any sort of presidential pardon so you this ruling today really is a huge blow to the journalists themselves their wives who were in court to hear that ruling come down and also their supporters many of whom are around the world deeply concerned by this case and fear that it's it's a signal over a decline in freedom of expression and. i'm shocked what message does this verdict send to all the journalists investigating allegations of human rights violations in man ma. one human rights organization in the lead up to