Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Myanmar Court Imprisons Filmmaker for Army Remarks

Associated Press

   YANGON, MYANMAR - A court in Myanmar has found a prominent filmmaker
   guilty of defaming the military with his postings on Facebook and
   sentenced him to a year in prison.

   The lawyer defending Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi said he was prosecuted because
   his posts criticizing the army allegedly threatened to cause members of
   the military to mutiny or neglect their duties, an offense punishable
   by up to two years in prison. The filmmaker has been jailed since
   April.

   "Everyone is worrying because I have received one year in jail, but I
   want to say, don't worry because I will return from prison, and I will
   continue my work," the defiant filmmaker said.

   Freedom of expression

   London-based Amnesty International called Thursday's verdict by the
   Insein Township Court "an appalling indictment of the state of freedom
   of expression" and said the punishment was especially cruel because Min
   Htin Ko Ko Gyi suffers from serious health problems, including liver
   cancer. It called for his immediate and unconditional release.

   "The Myanmar authorities continue to arbitrarily arrest, detain and
   prosecute activists and human rights defenders simply for peacefully
   exercising their right to freedom of expression," the human rights
   group said, calling for an end to laws restricting and criminalizing
   the exercise of freedom of expression.

   Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi's lawyer, Robert San Aung, expressed concern for his
   client's health in prison and said they will appeal the ruling.

.