Maung Thura, Myanmar
Maung Thura (“Zargana”) is currently serving a 35-year sentence following his arrest for leading a private relief effort to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis which struck on 2 May 2008. The Asian Human Rights Commission reported that Zargana had ridiculed state media accounts of the impact of the cyclone, and the insufficiency of the government's relief efforts, during interviews with overseas radio stations and other media. On 14 August 2008 Zargana was charged with seven offences under the Criminal Code, the Unlawful Associations Act, the Video Act and sections of the Electronic Act. On 21 November 2008 he was sentenced to 45 years for violating the Electronics Act. Days later, on 27 November, he was given a further 14-year sentence for offences under the criminal code related to his peaceful opposition activities. In February 2009 the news agency Mizzima.com reported that the Rangoon Division Court reduced the sentence by twenty-four years on 13 February, leaving Zargana to serve thirty-five years in prison. On 22 October 2008 PEN Canada presented our ‘One Humanity Award’ to Zargana in absentia. He was also awarded the ‘Imprisoned Artist Prize’, as part of Artventure's Freedom to Create Prize, on 26 November 2008.

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