Friday, July 24, 2009

Suu Kyi Trial Resumes in Burma



YANGON, Burma – A Burmese official says the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has resumed. The widely criticized proceedings started up again Friday with defense lawyers and prosecutors expected to present final arguments. A conviction on her record will mean she is not qualified to contest next year's elections, which seems to be the dictatorship of Gen. Than Shwe's ulterior motive.

The Burmese official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by harboring an American man who swam secretly to her lakeside home and stayed for two days. Suu Kyi faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.

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IMAGES: Short profile including history of arrests and information. The trial of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi entered its final stage as her lawyers delivered closing arguments in a bid to save her from five years in jail, her party said (AFP/Graphic); a 1995 file photo shows democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma's state media denounced criticism of its planned elections and ongoing detention of Suu Kyi as she faced her final trial hearing at the aptly named Insein prison (AFP/Manuel Ceneta).