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Alert

Retiree arrested for posting satirical criticism against state-run newspapers

(SEAPA/IFEX) - According to Mizzima News, an online publication of the SEAPA Burma member organisation of the same name, on 7 March 2007, the Burmese military junta arrested a retired sailor, Thein Zan, in Thingangyun, Rangoon, for writing and posting on his fence a satirical piece entitled "Is that so, Maung Karlu?" which criticised state-run newspapers for publishing false news.

Thein Zan, 65, who now earns his living repairing radios and audio tape recorders, posted his article and related news reports early the morning of 23 February on the fence surrounding his home. Township authorities took them down at around 11:00 a.m (local time) and picked him up for interrogation at their office on 5 March. He was arrested on 7 March by the Special Branch of the Burmese police, a close family member said.

Thein Zan told authorities that he was not a politician but that he became angry when he heard about the sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities after his daughter-in-law came back from the market one morning. He also blamed the journalists who were disseminating misinformation about electricity and commodity prices in the state-run newspapers.

"Thein Zan posted the articles to persuade journalists in the state-run newspapers to write about the actual situation in the interest of the public," a family member told Mizzima News, an online daily run by exiled journalists in New Delhi, India.

Thein Zan has been charged under Article 505 of the Penal Code, which allows for an imprisonment of two years, or a fine, or both, of those found guilty of issuing any form of communication with the intention to incite others to commit an offence against the state, communities, or public tranquillity.

His trial has been set for 14 March at the Thingangyun Township Court.