Trio Found Guilty of Insulting Religion

Ferry Disaster Prompts Probe

The owner and two managers of Yangon’s V Gastro Bar were each sentenced to two-and-ahalf years in prison with hard labor on Mar. 17, more than three months after they were arrested over a promotional advertisement on social media picturing the Buddha wearing headphones.

The bar’s owner U Tun Thurein, manager Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin and general manager Philip Blackwood, a New Zealand national, were convicted under articles 295(a) and 188 of Myanmar’s Penal Code.

The first charge pertains to destruction, damage or defilement of sacred places or objects with intent or knowledge that the action could cause insult, while the latter pertains to disobeying an order issued by a public servant. The trio’s attorney said the charge related to keeping the V Gastro Bar open after authorized hours.

Police, family members and backers of the Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha gathered outside the Bahan Township court for the longawaited verdict in a case that has garnered international attention since the three were arrested on Dec. 11, 2014.

“Everyone can use Facebook in our country,” shouted Daw Aye Than Than Htoo, Ko Htut Ko Ko Lwin’s visibly distraught mother. “Even monks use Facebook. Is that a problem?” —Steve Tickner

After more than 60 people died in a ferry accident off the coast of Myebon in mid-March, the government announced plans to inspect stateowned vessels across the country.

The government-run Aung Tagun-3 ferry capsized during a voyage from Taungup to Sittwe on Mar. 13, a few hours after leaving the port town of Kyaukphyu. Between 250 and 350 people were believed to have been traveling on the ferry. A total of 61 bodies, including 47 women, were recovered as of Mar. 17, with a further 169 people rescued.

On Mar. 18, state-run newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar said a team led by the managing director of Myanma Shipyards, a department of the Ministry of Transport, would investigate the safety and strength of all vessels operated by the government, with a priority given to the remaining eight vessels in the Rakhine fleet.

“Those ferries were bought from China in 1996-97,” Pe Than, a Lower House lawmaker, told The Irrawaddy. “They are very old and their bodies have become rusty and thin because of seawater.”

The Ministry of Transport also launched its own investigation into the disaster.

“The vessel was overloaded and was tilting in the storm,” 60-year-old survivor A Lone Chay told The Irrawaddy. “Travelers were asked by sailors to move from side to side when the ferry tilted sideways. Then water flooded in and the ferry began to sink.” —San Yamin Aung, Kyaw Kha & Khin Oo Tha