[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
VOA Report on Mr. Mawdsley
- Subject: VOA Report on Mr. Mawdsley
- From: moe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 21:47:00
DATE=5/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232268
TITLE=BURMA/SENTENCE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: BURMA HAS HANDED A PRISON TERM AND A STIFF FINE TO A
FOREIGNER FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY. THE FOREIGNER --
OF JOINT BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP -- HAD BEEN ARRESTED
WHILE DISTRIBUTING PRO-DEMOCRACY LEAFLETS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT
GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM BANGKOK.
TEXT: A RANGOON COURT FRIDAY SENTENCED JAMES RUPERT RUSSELL
MAWDSLEY TO A MAXIMUM FIVE YEARS IN PRISON. HE WAS ALSO ORDERED
TO PAY A FINE OF 50-THOUSAND KYAT -- OR ABOUT 83-HUNDRED DOLLARS
AT OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES -- OR SERVE ANOTHER 15 MONTHS IN
PRISON IF HE CANNOT.
THE SENTENCE WAS HANDED DOWN IN THE FIRST PUBLIC TRIAL IN BURMA
IN 10 YEARS. MR. MAWDSLEY -- WHO HAD PLEADED GUILTY WEDNESDAY TO
VIOLATING BURMA'S EMERGENCY IMMIGRATION ACT -- SHOWED NO EMOTION
AS JUDGE THAN HTWAY READ THE SENTENCE.
BURMESE COURTS HAVE ROUTINELY SENTENCED BURMESE DEMOCRACY
ACTIVISTS TO LONG PRISON TERMS -- USUALLY OF SEVEN YEARS -- BUT
THIS IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST TIME A WESTERNER HAS RECEIVED
SUCH A HARSH SENTENCE.
MR. MAWDSLEY WAS ARRESTED APRIL 30TH FOR ENTERING THE COUNTRY
ILLEGALLY WITHOUT A PASSPORT. HE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE ENTERED
THROUGH TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY ANTI-GOVERNMENT INSURGENTS.
OFFICIALS TESTIFIED HE HAD BEEN ARRESTED AT THE MARKET IN
MOULMEIN -- THE CAPITAL OF THE SOUTHERN MON STATE -- WHILE
DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS PROMOTING THE ALL-BURMA STUDENTS'
DEMOCRATIC FRONT, A THAILAND-BASED BURMESE EXILE GROUP. THE
GROUP IS MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO FLED THE COUNTRY AFTER THE
SUPPRESSION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATIONS IN 1988.
MR. MAWDSLEY WAS ALSO ARRESTED IN RANGOON LAST YEAR WHEN HE
CHAINED HIMSELF TO A FENCE, SHOUTING ANTI-GOVERNMENT SLOGANS AND
HANDING OUT LEAFLETS. THAT TIME, HE WAS MERELY DEPORTED.
GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED NEWSPAPERS HAVE LABELED MR. MAWDSLEY A
MERCENARY AND A TERRORIST BECAUSE OF HIS CONTACTS WITH
ANTI-GOVERNMENT EXILE GROUPS.
MR. MAWDSLEY HAS 90 DAYS TO APPEAL HIS SENTENCE. HOWEVER, HE
WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY SERVING HIS TERM AT RANGOON'S NOTORIOUS
INSEIN PRISON. (SIGNED)
NEB / GPT / GC / WD
15-May-98 7:13 AM EDT (1113 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America