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Burma comic charged over aid runs | Burma comic charged over aid runs |
(about 9 hours later) | |
One of Burma's most popular comedians has been charged with several offences, after he defied the military by giving aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. | One of Burma's most popular comedians has been charged with several offences, after he defied the military by giving aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. |
Zarganar faces charges including creating public unrest and unlawful association for his activities during the disaster, his relatives said. | Zarganar faces charges including creating public unrest and unlawful association for his activities during the disaster, his relatives said. |
He appeared at a special court in Rangoon's notorious Insein Jail. | He appeared at a special court in Rangoon's notorious Insein Jail. |
The move came one day before Burmese dissidents plan to mark 20 years since nationwide pro-democracy protests. | The move came one day before Burmese dissidents plan to mark 20 years since nationwide pro-democracy protests. |
Six weeks of rallies - which became known as the 8/8/88 protests - were eventually brutally suppressed by the military. | |
At least 3,000 civilians were killed as the military tightened its grip on power. | At least 3,000 civilians were killed as the military tightened its grip on power. |
'Lost hope' | 'Lost hope' |
Many Burmese who have fled the nation plan to hold protests to commemorate those who died. | Many Burmese who have fled the nation plan to hold protests to commemorate those who died. |
But there is unlikely to be much dissent in Burma itself. | But there is unlikely to be much dissent in Burma itself. |
Was the 1988 uprising worth it?Comic arrested over aid runs | Was the 1988 uprising worth it?Comic arrested over aid runs |
"I've totally lost hope that change will come through mass protests," Min Aung, a dissident in Rangoon, told the Associated Press. | "I've totally lost hope that change will come through mass protests," Min Aung, a dissident in Rangoon, told the Associated Press. |
"It's difficult to organise protests now because most of the leaders are in jail or in hiding." | "It's difficult to organise protests now because most of the leaders are in jail or in hiding." |
Meanwhile, US President George W Bush and his wife, Laura, both delivered speeches criticising the Burmese junta. | Meanwhile, US President George W Bush and his wife, Laura, both delivered speeches criticising the Burmese junta. |
Speaking in Thailand, the president called for an "end to tyranny", while Mrs Bush appealed for reform to allow thousands of dissidents to return home. | Speaking in Thailand, the president called for an "end to tyranny", while Mrs Bush appealed for reform to allow thousands of dissidents to return home. |
Critical interviews | Critical interviews |
Zarganar appeared at the special court along with three others. | Zarganar appeared at the special court along with three others. |
He fell foul of the regime when he began delivering aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis in June. | He fell foul of the regime when he began delivering aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis in June. |
The generals had insisted that all aid be delivered by the military - but there were widespread reports that badly needed supplies were being siphoned off by soldiers. | The generals had insisted that all aid be delivered by the military - but there were widespread reports that badly needed supplies were being siphoned off by soldiers. |
Zarganar also gave media interviews criticising the response to the catastrophe. | Zarganar also gave media interviews criticising the response to the catastrophe. |
The Irrawaddy, a magazine run by Burmese dissidents, reported that the authorities raided his home on 4 June and seized a computer and about $1,000 (£514) collected for victims of the cyclone. | The Irrawaddy, a magazine run by Burmese dissidents, reported that the authorities raided his home on 4 June and seized a computer and about $1,000 (£514) collected for victims of the cyclone. |
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