YANGON – A lawyer said pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was due to testify today at her trial for violating terms of her house arrest.
Lawyer Nyan Win said yesterday that Suu Kyi’s defence team is unhappy it has not been given sufficient time to consult with their client about her planned testimony.
Suu Kyi is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harbouring an American who swam across a lake to her residence. She faces up to five years in prison.
The charges against her are widely seen as a pretext to keep her detained during polls the ruling military has scheduled for next year as the culmination of its ‘roadmap to democracy.’
The trial resumed yesterday as Myanmar lashed out against Thailand – one of its few supporters in an international community likely to halt recent moves to improve relations with the country’s military rulers.
Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighbouring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Nation, or Asean, accusing its neighbour of violating the bloc’s principle by interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs.
Thailand, the grouping’s current chairman, last week expressed ‘grave concern’ over the trial, saying ‘the honour and the credibility of the (Myanmar government) are at stake.’
A statement from Myanmar issued yesterday responded: ‘It is sadly noted that (Thailand) failed to preserve the dignity of Asean, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand.’
Suu Kyi is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after the uninvited American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home earlier this month and stayed for two days. Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty on Friday. – Nampa-AP
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