PYONGYANG, North Korea, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- American Matthew Miller began a six-year prison sentence in North Korea Wednesday.
Miller, 24, was convicted earlier this month of committing "acts hostile" to North Korea and was accused of planning to expose human rights violations in North Korean prisons. He allegedly tore up his U.S. tourist visa after his arrival and requested asylum. KCNA, North Korea's state-run news agency, accused him of being "rudely behaved" during his detention and trial.
The North Korean government released a photograph of Miller, which they said was taken Wednesday. He is seen with his head shaved and wearing a prison uniform. No information regarding where he will serve his sentence was given by authorities.
Miller's family resides in Bakersfield, Calif.
In an interview with CNN on Sept. 1, Miller said he "prepared to violate the law of DPRK (North Korea) before coming here. And I deliberately committed my crime." He did not explain the nature of the alleged crime, and it was not clear if his comments were coerced.
He is one of three Americans in North Korean custody. Kenneth Bae and Jeffrey Fowle remain in custody.
