BURMA: Writer and comedian Zargana among those released in amnesty — 12.10.2011
Comedian and poet Zargana was released from prison in an amnesty by the Burmese government on Wednesday, 12 October 2011. Zargana was serving a thirty-five year prison sentence for his peaceful opposition activities and criticism of the government. According to this Agence France Presse report, at least 70 political prisoners were released in the amnesty.
PEN continues to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Burma in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protecting the right to freedom of expression.
Maung Thura, aged 47, best known by his stage name, “Zargana” (also transcribed as ‘Zarganar'), was sentenced to forty-five years imprisonment on 21 November 2008 for violating the Electronics Act, and received an additional fourteen year prison term on 27 November 2008 for offences under four sections of the criminal code-17/2, 32 (b), 295 (a) and 505 (b), for his peaceful opposition activities, making a total of fifty-nine years. According to the news agency Mizzima,com, on 13 February 2009 the Rangoon Division Court reduced Zargana’s prison term by twenty-four years. He was expected to serve the remaining thirty-five years, and had been imprisoned at the Myitkyina prison, in the Kachin state in northern Burma, before his release.
Zargana was arrested on the evening of 4 June 2008 after leading a private relief effort to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis which struck on 2 May 2008. He is believed to be sentenced for his outspoken criticism of the government’s slow response to the cyclone, and his opposition activities.