Zarganar's family anxious about his health

by Than Htike Oo

Saturday, 18 October 2008 14:08

Chiang Mai – Imprisoned comedian Thura a.k.a. Zarganar's family members are extremely worried because he asked for medicines a couple of days ago. Zarganar asked for a liver extract and medicines for gastric ulcer from his family through a security guard when he was produced before the Rangoon West District court on October 15 inside the Insein prison where he is being held.   "We are worried about his health. We don't know why he asked for the medicines and are wondering whether it is a preventive measure or for emergency use. We could not meet him in court. A security guard said that Thura had asked for the medicines," Zarganar's mother Kyi Oo told Mizzima.   "We couldn't go because it is far, so we sent my elder son to see him. He seemed to be thinner. We can send the medicines on Monday," she added.   "The prison authorities usually provide some common medicines such as 'paracetamol' (common cold drug) to all patients in the prison irrespective of the diseases they are suffering from. The prisoners can't expect other medicines, " Teit Naing, Secretary of the Thailand based Association of Assistance to Political Prisoners – Burma' (AAPP-B), said.   "Since the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) was barred from making visiting prisons, the health care situation for political prisoners has deteriorated severely. We have compiled a list of political prisoners whose health has deteriorated. The number stands at about 50," he added.   Though his condition was fine when he appeared in court, he has been suffering from many chronic diseases, his defence lawyer Khin Maung Shein pointed out.   Zarganar hade been suffering from hypertension, gastric ulcer, spondilysis, heart disease among other ailments before he was arrested. Once he collapsed from hypertension and was sent to Maharmyaing clinic by his friends before his arrest.   Nine Special Branch Police personnel and local administrative officials of the Ward Peace and Development Council came to his home in early June this year and searched his house following which he was arrested.   He was actively engaged in relief operations for Cyclone Nargis victims when he was arrested. Individual donors and well-wishers like Zarganar exposed the actual situation in the aftermath of the cyclone to the foreign media even as the junta was trying to cover up both the casualty figures and the devastation caused.   He offered water and alms to protesting monks during the monk-led Saffron Revolution in September 2007 along with famous politician Win Naing and actor Kyaw Thu among others.   He was frequently called, arrested and interrogated by the authorities for his outbursts over the oppression and mismanagement of the junta.   He is now charged on seven counts including 'disaffection towards the State and government'. His family members were not allowed to witness the court proceeding like family members of other political prisoners who were produced before the court two days ago.   The family members of 88 Generation Student leaders and other political activists being held in Insein prison collectively submitted an appeal to the Chief Justice at Naypyitaw (new capital city) to let them be present in the courtroom and witness the trial.  < Prev   Next >