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Burma's Suu Kyi 'to be charged' Burma's Suu Kyi 'to be charged'
(about 2 hours later)
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be charged shortly in connection with an uninvited visit by a US national, her party says. Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to be charged in connection with an uninvited visit by a US national, her party has said.
John Yettaw was held last week for swimming across a lake to reach the Nobel Laureate's off-limits home. She was taken from her home in Rangoon - where she has been under house arrest for most of the past 19 years - and taken to a prison, eyewitnesses say.
A spokesman for her National League for Democracy (NLD) said he had been told by her lawyer that Ms Suu Kyi and her maids would face unspecified charges. A spokesman for her National League for Democracy (NLD) said she would be charged over last week's incident.
The 63-year-old has been under house arrest for much of the last 19 years. The American man was arrested after swimming across a lake to her house.
'Junta's device''Junta's device'
NLD spokesman Nyan Win says he was informed of the plan to try Ms Suu Kyi and two women who live with her by her lawyer, who visited Ms Suu Kyi in her lakeside house in Rangoon on Wednesday. NLD spokesman Nyan Win said he had been informed of the plan to try Ms Suu Kyi and two women who live with her by her lawyer, who visited Ms Suu Kyi in her off-limits house on Wednesday.
We think she will be charged under Article 22 of the state protection act Nyan Win, NLD spokesmanWe think she will be charged under Article 22 of the state protection act Nyan Win, NLD spokesman
Nyan Win said the lawyer had told him the three would be taken to Insein prison near Rangoon later on Thursday to face the charges. Nyan Win said the lawyer had told him the three would be taken to Insein prison near Rangoon.
"We think she will be charged under Article 22 of the state protection act. It [the government] is likely to accuse her that she violates the restrictions enforced under this law. We will definitely defend that she does not violate the restrictions," the NLD spokesman told the BBC's Burmese Service."We think she will be charged under Article 22 of the state protection act. It [the government] is likely to accuse her that she violates the restrictions enforced under this law. We will definitely defend that she does not violate the restrictions," the NLD spokesman told the BBC's Burmese Service.
"We heard, once she is formally charged she will not be sent back to her residence," he added."We heard, once she is formally charged she will not be sent back to her residence," he added.
A convoy of several police cars left Mrs Suu Kyi's house early on Thursday, but it was not immediately clear if she was in one of the vehicles. Later on Thursday, she was driven in a police convoy from her house to the prison, witnesses said.
Security has been stepped up at the Insein prison, reports say. Reports say security has been stepped up at the Insein prison.
Earlier this month, Burma's (Myanmar) military government rejected Ms Suu Kyi's appeal to be freed, despite NLD claims that she was suffering from low blood pressure and dehydration.Earlier this month, Burma's (Myanmar) military government rejected Ms Suu Kyi's appeal to be freed, despite NLD claims that she was suffering from low blood pressure and dehydration.
Her detention was extended last year in defiance of the junta's own legal limits, but is due to expire at the end of May.Her detention was extended last year in defiance of the junta's own legal limits, but is due to expire at the end of May.
The charges are yet to be confirmed by the government.The charges are yet to be confirmed by the government.
But it does look as though this is really more of a device to keep her detained until very important elections the generals want to hold in 2010 that they think will give them some legitimacy, says BBC South-East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head. But it looks as though this is a device to keep her detained until elections due in 2010 which the generals think will give them some legitimacy, says BBC South-East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head.
Ms Suu Kyi was detained after NLD's victory in a general election in 1990. Burma's junta refused to allow the party to assume power. Ms Suu Kyi was detained after the NLD's victory in a general election in 1990. Burma's junta refused to allow the party to assume power.
'Strong interest''Strong interest'
Mr Yettaw was arrested after allegedly entering the democracy campaigner's home and staying there secretly for two days. The American national, John Yettaw, was arrested after allegedly entering the democracy campaigner's home and staying there secretly for two days.
Washington said that Burma's (Myanmar) military government had allowed a US diplomat to visit Mr Yettaw on Wednesday.Washington said that Burma's (Myanmar) military government had allowed a US diplomat to visit Mr Yettaw on Wednesday.
"Mr Yettaw has not been charged, nor have the Burmese authorities provided information on the next steps in this case," a US state department statement said."Mr Yettaw has not been charged, nor have the Burmese authorities provided information on the next steps in this case," a US state department statement said.
"The embassy has stressed to Burmese authorities the US government's strong interest in Mr Yettaw's case and our concerns for his health, welfare and fair treatment," it said."The embassy has stressed to Burmese authorities the US government's strong interest in Mr Yettaw's case and our concerns for his health, welfare and fair treatment," it said.
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