Security Tightened as Suu Kyi Trial Resumes

By THE IRRAWADDY

Friday, July 10, 2009

Security was tightened around Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Friday as crowds gathered for the resumption of the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Barbed wire road blocks were set up, and armed riot police took up positions. “About 30 riot police trucks have been deployed around the prison and other police trucks are patrolling,” said one resident.

Security forces man barbed wire road blocks outside Rangoon’s Insein Prison at the start of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial in May. Road blocks were again in place amid tight security when the trial resumed on Friday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Despite the tightened security, about 100 Suu Kyi supporters gathered near the prison. They included Win Tin, a prominent leader of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in prison and facing unjust charges,” said one 24-year-old activist. “She could face unjust imprisonment soon. It would be irresponsible not to come here.”

NLD member Ohn Kyaing said the trial resumed on Friday morning and, after a break, was continuing in the afternoon. Khin Moe Moe, a defense witness, was scheduled to testify.

Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her house detention order by allowing American intruder John W Yettaw to stay at her home. She could face up to five years imprisonment if the court finds her guilty.

Suu Kyi was arrested in May and put on trial as her latest term of house arrest was due to expire.

Burmese observers say Suu Kyi could face a prison sentence because the junta may want to show the world that it cannot accept any outside interference.

COMMENTS (3)

Ma Ma Wrote:

19/07/2009

We are tired of her game. She will start some funny activities when she sees people's interest fading away from her. She is a cancer to the people in Myanmar. The Burmese people are so loving and kind until she started her celebrity story, which she learned from Britain, which was responsible for the death of her father.

shwe Wrote:

14/07/2009

The rank and file in SPDC suffers from dementia let alone paranoia.

Mad dogs and Burmese people.

Topaze from Brussels Wrote:

10/07/2009

Just how ridiculous, facing more than one month of a trial just for the fact that an unwanted guest comes into your garden. In Belgium, a murder trial takes only one week, and here they discuss for weeks with a judge (!)about such a riduculous matter. This Than Shwe is crazy, and should be examamined by a psychiatrist. After all, he is old enough to suffer from current mental diseases linked to age, and the junta has become paranoïd, that is clear.