ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Zarni | Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Despite being put away for years by the Burmese military junta, famous comedian and film director Zargarnar and blogger Nay Phone Latt were in international news on Thursday after being named winners of the 'Cyber-Dissident' award by the Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Border (RSF).

Both Zargarnar and Nay Phone Latt were given the award for their courageous activities to cull information from Burma, despite the ruling junta's severe repression during the September monk-led 2007 protests and in the wake of the deadly Cyclone Nargis, the RSF said.

The military rulers, who have had a stranglehold on power since 1988, have sentenced Zargarnar to 59 years in prison, while Nay Phone Latt has been jailed for 20 ½ years.

The junta on Wednesday night banished the popular comedian, who used his artistic talents to criticize the regime's activities. He was transferred to Keng Tong prison in eastern Shan State.

"We don't know how to feel at this juncture, because he has been transferred to a remote prison in Keng Tong. We are only thinking of how to reach there. I will inform him about the award when I meet him," a family member of Zargarnar (alias) Thura told Mizzima.

Along with a memento, the Burmese comedian and blogger will receive a cash prize of Euro 2500, equivalent to nearly 4 million Burmese kyat. It is to be handed over by the Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi during a ceremony in Paris on Thursday.

But since, the two are currently being detained, and will not be available to receive the award, a London based artist, Htein Linn, will receive it on their behalf.

"The award is given to draw international attention to their case and to highlight that they are innocent," Vincent Brossel, RSF's Asia-Pacific spokesperson told Mizzima.

Nay Phone Latt's mother said, she welcomed the award and is proud of her son. She thanked the RSF for choosing her son as it highlights the injustice done to her son and many other people in Burma.

"This award will explain that many youths in Burma are being punished wrongly. Though my son is named the winner of the award, I feel he is receiving it on behalf of many youths in the country," she added.

She said, she will inform her son of the award when she visits him in Paan prison in Karen state.