A New Zealand bar manager appeared in court in Myanmar on Friday on charges of insulting religion after posting an online advert showing a psychedelic image of Buddha wearing headphones.

Philip Blackwood said he “didn’t mean any bad feeling for the post” and asked for forgiveness.

Blackwood, who denied the charges last month, could face up to two years in prison if convicted.

Two local employees were also charged along with Blackwood.

Blackwood runs the V Gastro Bar in the former capital, Yangon.

The image has been removed from the Facebook page and replaced by an apology.

The arrests came during a surge of religious nationalism in Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country.