Satirical performance group denied bail

23 April 2019
Satirical performance group denied bail
Photo: Thura/Mizzima

A Myanmar court on Monday sent five members of a satirical performance group to Yangon’s notorious Insein Prison to await trial on defamation charges for taking comedic shots at the country’s powerful military during their shows, members of the troupe and their supporters said, according to a RFA report.

Judge Tun Zaw of Yangon region’s Mayangon Township Court ruled that the charge against the performers from the Peacock Generation (Daungdoh Myoset) Thangyat group under Article 505(a) of the country’s Penal Code was ineligible for bail.

Article 505(a) of Myanmar’s Penal Code criminalizes the circulation of statements, rumours, or reports with the intent to cause any military officer to disregard or fail in his duties. It carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a fine, or both.