Myanmar authorities continue their crackdown, arrest comedian

Protesters hold up the three finger salutes in front of red paint splashed on the road, representing blood spilled during protests against the military coup, in Hpa-an township in Myanmar’s Karen state. Pic/AFP

Authorities in Myanmar arrested the country's best-known comedian on Tuesday as they continue to crack down on people they accuse of helping incite nationwide protests against February's military coup. The comedian Zarganar was taken from his home in Yangon by police and soldiers who arrived in two army vehicles, fellow comedian Ngepyawkyaw said on his own Facebook page.

Zarganar, 60, is a sharp-tongued satirist who has been in and out of prison since he was active in a failed 1988 popular uprising against a previous military dictatorship. He is also well known for his social work, especially arranging assistance for victims of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

In the past week, the junta has issued arrest warrants for at least 60 people active in the fields of literature, film, theatre arts, music and journalism on charges of spreading information that undermines the stability of the country and the rule of law. It was not immediately clear what Zarganar, whose real name is Maung Thura, has been charged with.

Many ordinary protesters and activists are also being arrested every day, according to numerous reports on social media. In Mandalay security forces used stun grenades and fired guns on Tuesday to break up a march by medical workers who have defiantly continued to protest almost every day against the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Agencies

‘Using sanctions against Myanmar futile'

Russia on Tuesday warned against imposing sanctions on Myanmar, as the military junta continues its bloody crackdown on protests in the country since the February 1 coup. Threats, pressure and using sanctions against the acting authorities in Myanmar are futile and dangerous, dpa news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying to Interfax media outlet. Such policies "only contribute to setting the parties against each other", the Ministry said, adding that it would lead to a civil war.

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