Relatives of Zarganar hope to meet with him in prison

Thursday, 06 October 2011 13:26 Tun Tun

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Relatives of the well-known comedian Zarganar, aka Thura, plan to meet with him in Myitkyina Prison. Since May 2010, he has only been allowed to meet with his wife and children, said his sister-in-law.

Sources said Zarganar was being held on death row.

Ma Nyein, his sister-in-law, said he told people to pass on the message that his relatives could now meet with him.

The popular Burmese comedian Zarganar, who is now being held as a political prisoner for his critical comments about the previous military dictatorship.

Ma Nyein said that she has arranged to go the prison this month, because she wants to test if the information is true or not.

“I’ve firmly decided to go there whatever happens,” Ma Nyein said.

She said family members of other political prisoners said Zarganar shouted out remarks about “Thee Lay Thee,” the traditional dance troupe that he performed with. Some of the troupe members recently returned to Burma after living in Thailand, following an announcement by President Thein Sein inviting exiled Burmese to return home.

“They said that he shouted out that the leader of Thee Lay Thee is not Zarganar. Or Godzilla [another comedian]. I’ll know more about what he meant when I meet with him,” Ma Nyein told Mizzima.

Zarganar’s wife, Lwin Mar Oo, a son, Myat Kaung, and a daughter, Nge Oo Mon, live in Los Angeles.

In August, Ma Nyein filed an appeal with the Home Affairs Ministry asking the authorities to remove the visiting restriction, but the ministry did not reply.

Zarganar was arrested in June 2008 while he was doing volunteer work helping refugees from Cylone Nargis. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison for violating three parts of the Electronics Acts and was sentenced to an additional 14 years in prison for abetting “destructive elements” against the State and for violating the Video Act.  In February 2009, the court commuted his prison sentence for each of the three Electronic Acts by eight years. He is now serving a total of 35 years imprisonment.

Zarganar, one of Burma's most prominent comedians, actors & directors, Zarganar, played  an active role in helping cyclone survivals, was arrested in his home in Rangoon on  by  police  in June 2008.

The Police team confiscated a computer  and video CDs of Snr-Gen Than Shwe's daughter's wedding, Rambo 4, and the plight of Nargis refugees, and other material.

Zarganar was among the first Burmese celebrities to have rushed to help cyclone victims, and he  played an active role in reaching people with aid supplies including rice and other commodities.

Observers believe that authorities had difficulties with the celebrity's outspoken nature and his critical comments about the government's slow response to the crisis. Zarganar had been frequently arrested by the authorities for openly speaking to the media about Burma's tightly controlled living conditions.

In May 2006, authorities banned him from practicing any artistic performances including  writing, film acting and directing, after talking to the Burmese Service of British Broadcasting Corporation.