Dutch tourist detained in Myanmar apologizes, says he was ‘very tired’ when he pulled plug on prayers

The Dutch tourist detained after pulling the plug on a late-night Buddhist prayer session in Mandalay on Friday apologized in court yesterday, saying he was “very tired” and did not realize the religious significance.  

Klaas Haijtema, 30, is facing up to two years in prison for allegedly ‘insulting religion’ and violating immigration rules.

Soldiers had to step in to defend the tourist from the angry crowd that gathered after he disconnected the amplifier broadcasting prayers at around 10pm.

Asked to explain his actions during yesterday’s hearing, Haijtema, who appeared without a lawyer, reportedly said: “I was too tired on that day. I wanted to sleep desperately. I couldn’t stand the noise and checked outside the hotel. I saw that children were playing. I thought that they were playing it [the sermon] and disconnected the amplifier. I did not notice that it was a religious building. I am really sorry and I really apologize.”

According to the Myanmar Times, the head of the local Immigration and Population department told the court that Haijtema had broken the terms of his visa.

“If someone applies for a visa to enter Myanmar, they have to follow the rules and regulations laid out in the visa,” said Thaung Dan. “Section 4 [2] says, ‘I shall follow the existing laws of Myanmar.’ It also says, ‘I will follow the customs of Myanmar.’ He is charged under section 13 [1] because he breached section 4 [2].”

The trial continues today.

The arrested Dutch man is far from the first foreigner to be accused of disrespecting Buddhism in Myanmar.

New Zealand bar manager Phil Blackwood was released from Yangon’s Insein prison in January more than a year after he posted an image of the Buddha wearing headphones to promote a drinks deal at the bar where he worked.

His Myanmar colleagues were also imprisoned. 

A timeline of arrests and deportations resulting from offending religion in Myanmar

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