The family of imprisoned comedian Zarganar is allowed once more to pay him visits following a lengthy ban, fuelling rumours that he will be released in a looming prisoner amnesty. His sister-in-law, Ma Nyein, told DVB that she had inquired with officials in Myitkyina prison, where the popular comedian is serving a 35 year jail term, following reports that the family could once again see him. Zarganar, who had been publicly critical of the former junta, particularly its lax response to Cyclone Nargis in 2008, has not been allowed to receive visitors for nearly 18 months.
The Burmese government has mooted an amnesty for prisoners, but as yet has given no details on who will be released, or when. Ma Nyein said that the family had heard no news on whether Zarganar would be released. “These (rumours) are common. Usually, those who are released from prison before their sentence is up are sent directly to their homes.
Zarganar, who has received numerous international freedom of expression awards, was initially given a 59-year sentence, but that was later reduced. Zarganar was banned from performing in public in 2006, before being arrested and sentenced in November 2008 after he gave interviews to foreign media in which he berated the junta’s poor reaction to the devastating cyclone, which eventually claimed the lives of nearly 140,000 people.
2011.10.05 DVB Zarganar family visits spur rumours
Burmese version Bur ျမန္မာ 2011.10.14 DVB - zarganar family visits spur rumours
Sources said Zarganar was being held on death row.
2011.10.06 Mizzima Relatives of Zarganar hope to meet with him in prison
Burmese version Bur ျမန္မာ 2011.10.06 Mizzima Relatives of Zarganar hope to meet with him in prison