RANGOON, Burma – The government detained five journalists from Unity Weekly News, including the CEO, after it published allegations of a military facility producing chemical weapons, AFP reported.

They were arrested Friday and Saturday (February 1st), according to colleagues.

"Family members were informed … by the authorities that they could visit them in Insein prison and [were] told to hire lawyers," said Unity editor Aung Thura Ko Ko.

The newspaper said the arrests were linked to an article claiming the country's military was operating a chemical weapons factory in Pauk, under instruction of former junta strongman Than Shwe.

The government rejected the newspaper's story, The Irrawaddy reported. Presidential spokesman Ye Htut called it a "totally baseless accusation", adding the factory was protected under the Official Secrets Act and that the arrests were a matter of national security, not press freedom.