Identified as Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, the two journalists were carrying official documents, handed to them by the police, during the time of their arrests.

Both the convicts, however, have repeatedly said that it was a set up by the police, adding that they are innocent.

'I have no fear," Wa Lone, one of the two journalists, told media after the verdict.

"I have not done anything wrong. I believe in justice, democracy and freedom," he said.

Condemning the judgement, Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said: "Today is a sad day for Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and press freedom anywhere."

Today is a sad day for Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, and the press everywhere. These two admirable reporters have already spent nearly nine months in prison on false charges designed to silence their reporting and intimidate the press. Without any evidence of wrongdoing and in the face of compelling evidence of a police set-up, today’s ruling condemns them to the continued loss of their freedom and condones the misconduct of security forces. This is a major step backward in Myanmar’s transition to democracy, cannot be squared with the rule of law or freedom of speech, and must be corrected by the Myanmar government as a matter of urgency. We will not wait while Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo suffer this injustice and will evaluate how to proceed in the coming days, including whether to seek relief in an international forum.

-Stephen J Adler, President and Editor-in-Chief, Reuters.

The journalists were investigating the execution of 10 men by the army in Inn Din in northern Rakhine.

Demanding the release of the journalists, the UN's resident and humanitarian co-ordinator in Myanmar Knut Ostby has said that "a free press is essential for peace, justice and human rights for all".

"We are disappointed by today's court decision," he said.

Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, termed the convictions as outrageous and said that it marks a new low for press freedom and rights under Suu Kyi's government.

"The outrageous convictions show Myanmar courts' willingness to muzzle those reporting on military atrocities," he said.

"These sentences mark a new low for press freedom and further backsliding on rights under Aung San Suu Kyi's government. 

Images: /twitter.com/Journotopia