Cyber-Dissident Award to Imprisoned Burmese

Cyber-Dissident Award to Imprisoned Burmese

Imprisoned Burmese blogger Nay Phone Latt and popular comedian Zargarnar were yesterday named winners of the Cyber-Dissident Award by the Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Both Zargarnar and Nay Phone Latt were given the award for their courageous activities in sending information from Burma during the September 2007 monk-led protests, and in the wake of the deadly Cyclone Nargis, the RSF said.

The junta, who have had a stranglehold on power since 1963, have sentenced Zargarnar to 59 years in prison, while Nay Phone Latt has been jailed for 20½ years.

"The award is given to draw international attention to their cases, and to highlight their innocence." said Vincent Brossel, RSF's Asia-Pacific spokesperson.

ENDS

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