Dissident Myanmar comic freed

One of Myanmar’s most famous political prisoners and comedians, freed on Wednesday from a decades-long sentence, slammed the president as “stingy” for not releasing more dissidents.

One of Myanmar’s most famous political prisoners and comedians, freed on Wednesday from a decades-long sentence, slammed the president as “stingy” for not releasing more dissidents.

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Zarganar, a satirist who goes by one name, was among at least 120 political prisoners - out of a total of about 2,000 - pardoned as part of a wider amnesty by the new nominally civilian leadership, led by President Thein Sein.

"I would like to ask him why he is so stingy. There are many people still in prison to be released," Zarganar said at Yangon airport when asked if he had a message for Myanmar’s leader.

Crowds turned out to greet the performer, who flew back to the city on Wednesday from Myitkyina, where he has been held since 2008.