NZ faces Myanmar court over Buddha booze insult

FE Team | Published: December 19, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

YANGON: Philip Blackwood (centre), a New Zealand bar manager, was escorted by police as he arrives for his hearing at a court here Thursday. A bar manager from New Zealand appeared before a Myanmar court on December 18 accused of insulting religion by usi

YANGON, Dec 18 (Reuters): A New Zealander (NZ) and two Burmese men have gone on trial in Myanmar on charges of insulting Buddhism.
The trio, who run a bar in Yangon, are accused over a flyer promoting a drinks event depicting Buddha with headphones.
The image triggered an angry response online shortly after it appeared on the bar's Facebook page.
Burmese law makes it illegal to insult or damage any religion. Myanmar, also known as Burma, has also seen growing Buddhist nationalism.
The flyer from VGastro Bar showed Buddha with his eyes shut, wearing large headphones, and surrounded by lurid colours.
The words alongside advertised a drinks afternoon with limitless alcohol and shisha pipes.
Last week, police shut down the bar and detained general manager Philip Blackwood, 32, owner Tun Thurein, 40, and manager Htut Ko Ko Lwin, 26.
Meanwhile, A bar manager from New Zealand appeared before a Myanmar court Thursday accused of insulting religion by using an image of the Buddha to trail a cheap drinks night.
The offending poster, which featured a psychedelic mock-up of the Buddha wearing DJ headphones, has prompted outcry in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, which is grappling with surging religious nationalism.