Sunday, November 23, 2008

Myanmar jails comedian who helped aid victims of cyclone

NY Times
Nov 21, 2008

A secret court run by Myanmar’s military leadership on Friday sentenced a prominent Burmese comedian and activist to 45 years in prison, continuing a recent crackdown on dissidents.

The comedian, U Maung Thura, 47, better known by his stage name Zarganar, or the Tweezers, was detained in June after he organized a private assistance effort to help victims of the May cyclone, which killed more than 130,000 Burmese. With aid organizations and Western governments, he criticized Myanmar’s handling of the disaster.

Full article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/world/asia/22myanmar.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper