Burma poster trial: Kiwi denies he insulted Buddha

The Kiwi manager of the Rangoon bar has pleaded not guilty to charges under Burma's Religion Act over this poster.

A New Zealand manager accused of insulting Buddhism in a promotional poster for a bar in Rangoon, Burma, has pleaded not guilty to three charges.

The trial of Philip Blackwood, 32, began in Rangoon yesterday.

He faces three charges of breaching the country's Religion Act by depicting Buddha wearing headphones on a poster for an event at the VGastro bar.

Blackwood, originally from Wellington, is the bar's general manager.

Bar owner Tun Thurein and another employee have also been charged.

The media were prohibited from court proceedings yesterday but Blackwood's lawyer, Mya Thway, confirmed the prosecution had presented its case during the trial's first day.

Proceedings have been adjourned for a week.