NZ Government helping man imprisoned in Insein jail

23 November 2015
NZ Government helping man imprisoned in Insein jail
Philip Blackwood (C), with U Tun Thurein and U Htut Ko Ko Lwin being taken to court on March 17, 2015.  Photo: Thet Ko/Mizzima

The New Zealand government has been working behind the scenes to help a New Zealander, Philip Blackwood, imprisoned in Myanmar for insulting religion, Radio New Zealand reported on 22 November.
The station quoted Prime Minister John Key as saying it was a tricky situation because Myanmar's government did not take kindly to other countries interfering,
“We have been doing some work on it, we have been looking at it and we have been dealing with it. . . I know the father of the gentleman in question is of the view the government isn't doing things, but what I would say is we are, but we're trying to do it in a way that doesn't make it worse for his son.”
Mr Blackwood and two of his Myanmar colleagues were sentenced in March to two-and-a-half years' jail with hard labour for using an image of Buddha to promote a cheap drinks night at the bar he managed.