Government charges comedian

A popular comedian who is a prominent critic of Myanmar’s military government was formally charged with several political offenses.

The sister-in-law of the comic, known as Zarganar, said a special court charged him with eight offenses, including unlawful association and causing public unrest.

Ma Hdway also said the comedian, whose birth name is Maung Thura, looked thin and pale when she and other relatives were allowed to see him and give him food.

Zarganar was arrested in June after he gave interviews to foreign media in which he criticized the government’s slow response to the May 2-3 cyclone that left about 140,000 people dead or missing. Three other people are being tried with him.