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Burma's Suu Kyi claims innocence Burma's Suu Kyi claims innocence
(40 minutes later)
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has told her trial that she has committed no crime, her lawyer says. Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, on trial for breaking the terms of her house arrest, has told a court she committed no crime, her lawyer says.
Ms Suu Kyi went on trial on Monday for breaking the terms of her detention by allowing an American man into her home. She spoke as prosecutors ended their case days earlier than expected, lawyer Nyan Win said.
She had been due for release later in May, but the charges she now faces carry a maximum of five years in jail. Ms Suu Kyi had been due for release on 27 May, but the charges she faces carry a maximum of five years in jail.
Observers say Burma's military rulers are using the charges as a pretext to keep Ms Suu Kyi locked up during an election due next year. Observers say Burma's military rulers are using the charges to keep her in jail during an election due next year.
Lawyer Nyan Win said the presiding judge asked Ms Suu Kyi at the end of the prosecution case whether she was guilty.
"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said: 'I have no guilt as I didn't commit any crime,'" he said.
The lawyer said the trial, which is being held behind closed doors at Rangoon's Insein jail, will resume on Monday when her defence will present its case.
'Assassination dream'
She faces an accusation that she allowed US national John Yettaw to stay in her home, breaching the conditions of her latest period of house arrest.She faces an accusation that she allowed US national John Yettaw to stay in her home, breaching the conditions of her latest period of house arrest.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3006922.stm">Inside Burma's Insein prison class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1950505.stm">Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi Mr Win said the presiding judge officially accepted the charges at the end of the prosecution case - which came much more rapidly than people had expected.
Prosecutors had been expected to call 22 witnesses, but the lawyer told the BBC's Burmese service that in the event far fewer had actually taken the stand.
He said the judge asked Ms Suu Kyi whether she was guilty, and she replied: "I have no guilt as I didn't commit any crime."
The trial, which is being held behind closed doors at Rangoon's Insein jail, is expected resume on Monday when her defence will present its case.
'Assassination dream'
Mr Yettaw, who swam across a lake to reach her house, is also on trial in Insein jail.Mr Yettaw, who swam across a lake to reach her house, is also on trial in Insein jail.
Inside Burma's Insein prison Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi
He is reported to have testified that he made the visit because he had dreamt that she was going to be assassinated.He is reported to have testified that he made the visit because he had dreamt that she was going to be assassinated.
Ms Suu Kyi's lawyers say she tried to send the man away but he refused to go.Ms Suu Kyi's lawyers say she tried to send the man away but he refused to go.
He was then allowed to stay only because he said he was exhausted.He was then allowed to stay only because he said he was exhausted.
The ruling generals say the incident was a stunt designed to embarrass the government.The ruling generals say the incident was a stunt designed to embarrass the government.
Foreign Minister Nyan Win was quoted as saying the incident had been fabricated by "internal and external anti-government elements" to "intensify international pressure" on the regime.Foreign Minister Nyan Win was quoted as saying the incident had been fabricated by "internal and external anti-government elements" to "intensify international pressure" on the regime.
International condemnationInternational condemnation
Ms Suu Kyi's trial opened on Monday behind closed doors.Ms Suu Kyi's trial opened on Monday behind closed doors.
Burma's ruling junta allowed some diplomats and journalists into the proceedings on Wednesday, only to bar them again the following day.Burma's ruling junta allowed some diplomats and journalists into the proceedings on Wednesday, only to bar them again the following day.
Governments and rights groups have condemned the trial - and diplomats have said they expect Ms Suu Kyi to be found guilty.Governments and rights groups have condemned the trial - and diplomats have said they expect Ms Suu Kyi to be found guilty.
The Nobel laureate has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.The Nobel laureate has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.
The party she leads, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won the country's last general election in 1990 - but she was never allowed to take power.The party she leads, the National League for Democracy (NLD), won the country's last general election in 1990 - but she was never allowed to take power.
The ruling generals have scheduled an election for next year - but have written a new constitution which carves out a major role for the military in any new government.The ruling generals have scheduled an election for next year - but have written a new constitution which carves out a major role for the military in any new government.