Kiwi seeks acquittal over Buddha image

[ControlFreak]

Kiwi seeks acquittal over Buddha image

AAP
March 4, 2015, 9:07 am

A New Zealand man charged with insulting Buddhism to promote a bar in Myanmar will learn his fate later this month.

VGastro bar general manager Philip Blackwood said he had no intention of insulting religion when he used an image of a Buddha wearing headphones to promote cheap drinks at the bar in Yangon.

The 32-year-old is charged under the nation's strict religious laws for insulting religion after posting the offending image on the bar's Facebook page in December.

Two other bar staff, who are both Myanmar nationals, are also on trial.

The court will hand down its judgment on March 17.

AFP reported the Myanmar owner of the bar told the court Blackwood was responsible for the ad.

The trio face up to four years in jail if found guilty of breaching the Religion Act.

Under it anyone who attempts to insult, destroy or damage any religion can be punished by a maximum of two years in jail, with another two-year penalty for those who insult religion through the written word.

Blackwood's lawyer Mya Thway said his client had not intended to insult religion and was simply promoting a cheap drinks night.

"I ask for the acquittal and release of Mr Philip," the lawyer told the court, said AFP.

After the hearing, a member of Blackwood's family who did not wish to be named, said: "We trust the justice (system) in Myanmar... We are hoping for the best."