Myanmar jails New Zealand man for insulting religion

A New Zealand bar manager in Myanmar was found guilty on Tuesday of insulting religion by using an image of the Buddha to promote a cheap drinks night.

Philip Blackwood, 32, and two other co-accused -- Myanmar nationals Tun Thurein, 40, the bar owner, and manager Htut Ko Ko Lwin, 26 -- have been all sentenced to two-and-half years in prison, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Blackwood, who worked at the VGastro bar in Yangon, was found guilty of breaching the Religion Act with the offending mocked-up photo that depicted the Buddha wearing DJ headphones and surrounded by psychedelic colours on a Facebook page.

He has been incarcerated in Yangon's Insein prison since December when he was arrested.

The defendants have all denied their charges.

Earlier this month, bar owner Tun told the court that Blackwood alone was responsible for the posting, and asked for the release of himself and Htut.

VGastro, a tapas restaurant and nightclub in an upmarket neighbourhood, was shut shortly after the contentious poster came to light, despite the management quickly withdrawing the ad and apologising for their "ignorance" in using the Buddha's image.