Day Two Of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Trial

Day Two Of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Trial

Day two of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial saw prosecution witnesses from the Criminal Investigation Department and Immigration Department give evidence before a special court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison.

American citizen John William Yettaw has twice swum across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s home; the first time in November 2008, and again earlier this month. The Burmese junta claim that on his second visit Suu Kyi allowed Yettaw to stay for two nights, giving him food and drink. Aung San Suu Kyi faces a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment if found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by “harbouring” the American intruder.

Suu Kyi’s personal physician Dr Tin Myo Win had informed the police of Yettaw’s initial trespass, but authorities declined to take action against him at that time. Further, had the authorities wished to deny Yettaw a repeat visa, they could simply have ordered Burmese embassies to blacklist him, but no such instruction was issued.

The junta is determined to detain Aung San Suu Kyi to prevent her participation in the planned 2010 elections. Western condemnation of her trial and the extension of sanctions by the US and EU have had no effect. Burma's long-time benefactors China, Russia, India and ASEAN continue to support the undemocratic regime.

ENDS

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