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Myanmar court jails New Zealand man for insulting Buddha

Philip Blackwood, second right, New Zealand general manager of V Gastro Bar, walks with Myanmar nationals, Bar owner Tun Thurein, second left, and its manager Htut Ko Ko Lwin, seen behind Blackwood, upon arrival for their trial at a township court Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, in Yangon, Myanmar. Blackwood and the two Myanmar men are facing charges for allegedly insulting Buddhism after posting an online advertisement showing a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones. Following their arrest on Dec. 10, 2014 authorities shut the newly opened tapas bar and lounge in an upscale Yangon neighborhood. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)
By No Author
YANGON, Myanmar, March 17: A New Zealand bar manager and his business associates were sentenced Tuesday by a Myanmar court to two years and six months in prison for insulting Buddhism over an online advertisement that showed a psychedelic depiction of Buddha wearing headphones.

Blackwood, 32, Tun Thurein and Htut Ko Ko Lwin were given two years of hard labor for insulting religion and six months for disobeying an order from a public servant.


After the sentencing, Blackwood told reporters as he was getting into a police van that he would appeal.

The trial of V Gastro manager Blackwood, bar owner Tun Thurein and employee Htut Ko Ko Lwin came as the predominantly Buddhist nation grapples with a surge of religious nationalism — including violence against members of the minority Muslim community.

About half a dozen monks and hard line Buddhists gathered outside the Yangon court to hear the verdict.

The three were arrested in December after the image was used to promote the tapas bar and lounge, and have been detained in Myanmar's notorious Insein prison. The online ad was removed and an apology was posted.

About 90 percent of Myanmar's people are Buddhist. Perceived insults to the religion are taken seriously, especially in the context of the religious-based violence in the past few years pitting Buddhists against Muslims.


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