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| Obama calls for Suu Kyi release | Obama calls for Suu Kyi release |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. | US President Barack Obama has called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. |
| In a written statement, Mr Obama said he strongly condemned Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest, which has lasted for most of the last 19 years. | In a written statement, Mr Obama said he strongly condemned Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest, which has lasted for most of the last 19 years. |
| She is being tried for violating the terms of her detention in a case which has drawn widespread condemnation. | She is being tried for violating the terms of her detention in a case which has drawn widespread condemnation. |
| The Nobel laureate faces up to five years in jail, if convicted. | The Nobel laureate faces up to five years in jail, if convicted. |
| "Aung San Suu Kyi's continued detention, isolation, and show trial based on spurious charges cast serious doubt on the Burmese regime's willingness to be a responsible member of the international community," Mr Obama said in a statement. | |
| "It is time for the Burmese government to drop all charges against Aung San Suu Kyi and unconditionally release her and her fellow political prisoners," he added. | |
| Ms Suu Kyi, 63, had been due for release on Wednesday after her latest six-year detention, but was re-arrested this month after a visit to her house by a US man who had not been invited. | |
| She took the stand for the first time on Tuesday to tell the court that she was not immediately aware of the late-night visit but was informed later by her assistant. | |
| Ms Suu Kyi is widely expected to be convicted at the trial. |