Article: Burma, Myanmar: Leader Monk Gets Total 68 Years; Popular Burmese Comedian Gets 45 Years

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By Ashin Mettacara

A prominent leader and spokesmonk for the Saffron Revolution Ashin Gambira was sentenced to total of 68 years imprisonment. He has already been sentenced to 12 years on November 12th, 44 years on November 20th and 12 years on November 21th. His case is now closed with total of 68 years imprisoment for his involvement in last year Saffron Revolution.
Ashin Gambira is the pseudonym of one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks' Alliance (ABMA). He was arrested in Mandalay Division's Sintgaing Township on November 4th, 2007. His tireless hard work is a wonder. As a consequence, he was able to unify the clergy nationwide leading to the successful launching of 2007 Saffron Revolution.

A popular Burmese comedian Zarganar was also sentenced today to 45 years for speaking to foreign media about the situation of millions of people left homeless in Cyclone devastated Irrawaddy delta. But his case is not closed yet. It is still proceeding. He may get another more years. He was arrested on June 4th.
Zarganar is a popular Burmese comedian, film actor, and a film director as well as a fierce critic and frequent political prisoner of the Burmese military government. Known for his wicked puns against the government, Zarganar, whose name translates to "tweezers", is widely considered to be the most popular comedian and satirist in Burma.

Nine other monks were also sentenced today. Ashin Kelasa from Mandalay has alredy been sentenced to 35 years , he gets today another 4 years. His case is now closed with total of 39 years. The chief monk of Maggin Monastery U Indaka was sentenced to 20 1/2 years. U Indariya was given 14 years and U Sumana was given 6 years. Five other monks from Sasana Theik Pan Monastery: U Ukkamsamala and U Janeyya were sentenced to 5 1/2 years each, and U Pannasiha, U Narapati and U Pannadipa were 2 1/2 years imprisonment each.

14 activist were also sentenced to up to 29 years. Ko Tin Maung Aye was sentenced to 29 years, Ko Zaw Thet Htwe and Ko Thant Zin Aung were sentenced to 15 years each. But they are still proceeding, not closed yet.
Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw( Brother of Ashin Gambira) and Ko Kyaw Naing were sentenced to 14 years each. Ko Swe Maung (Mandalay), U Zaw Win( Mandalay) and Ko Wanna Aung were sentenced to 4 years each, they have been sentenced to 4 years each on November 14th. Their case is now closed with total of 8 years each imprisoment. Ko Khin Tun was sentenced to 4 1/2 years, Ko Tun Tun Naing, Ko Than Htay , Ko Nge Soe and Ko Kyaw San were sentenced to 4 years each. Ko Khin Tun was sentenced to 4 1/2 years. Ko Soe Swe's sentence is not yet known.