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Burma trial reaches final stages Burma trial reaches final stages
(about 1 hour later)
The trial of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is reaching its final stage with the court hearing closing statements from lawyers. The trial of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is reaching its final stage, with the court hearing closing statements from lawyers.
Ms Suu Kyi is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest in May, after a US man evaded guards and swam to her lakeside home.Ms Suu Kyi is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest in May, after a US man evaded guards and swam to her lakeside home.
If convicted she faces up to five years in jail.If convicted she faces up to five years in jail.
The trial has been widely condemned as a ploy to keep the Nobel Peace laureate in custody until after elections.The trial has been widely condemned as a ploy to keep the Nobel Peace laureate in custody until after elections.
A general election is planned by the military government for some time next year.A general election is planned by the military government for some time next year.
This trial, which had been expected to wrap up in days when it started, has now dragged on for more than two months. Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won the last elections in 1988 but was never allowed to take power.
Bizarre Ms Suu Kyi has spent nearly 14 of the last 20 years in detention, much of it at her Rangoon home.
'Not responsible'
The trial, which had been expected to wrap up in days when it started, has now dragged on for more than two months.
Unlike other political trials in Burma, the defence lawyers have had limited opportunities to make their case, and independent observers have been given occasional access to the proceedings.Unlike other political trials in Burma, the defence lawyers have had limited opportunities to make their case, and independent observers have been given occasional access to the proceedings.
Burma's rulers have refused to heed global calls for Ms Suu Kyi's releaseBurma's rulers have refused to heed global calls for Ms Suu Kyi's release
These are all signs that the military government belatedly recognised the anger stirred up around the world by putting Aung San Suu Kyi on trial on such bizarre charges. These are all signs, reports BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head, that the military government belatedly recognised the anger stirred up around the world by putting Ms Suu Kyi on trial on such bizarre charges.
In its final summing up in court, the prosecution is expected to restate its argument that she must be held responsible for the midnight swim to her home by an American well-wisher in early May.In its final summing up in court, the prosecution is expected to restate its argument that she must be held responsible for the midnight swim to her home by an American well-wisher in early May.
Her lawyers will argue that the law she has been charged under is part of a constitution abolished 25 years ago, and that in any case she cannot be responsible for the incident as she was living under tightly-guarded house arrest at the time.Her lawyers will argue that the law she has been charged under is part of a constitution abolished 25 years ago, and that in any case she cannot be responsible for the incident as she was living under tightly-guarded house arrest at the time.
All the indications are that she will still be found guilty - Burma's ruling generals fear her popularity, and do not want her to play any role in the election they are planning next year. All the indications are that she will still be found guilty, our correspondent adds. Burma's ruling generals fear her popularity, and do not want her to play any role in the election they are planning next year.
But the international approach to Burma seems to be shifting away from reliance on the hard-line language and sanctions of recent years.But the international approach to Burma seems to be shifting away from reliance on the hard-line language and sanctions of recent years.
At this week's Asian security summit in Thailand, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said improved ties with Washington were possible - although she stressed that Ms Suu Kyi's release would still be an important factor in that relationship.At this week's Asian security summit in Thailand, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said improved ties with Washington were possible - although she stressed that Ms Suu Kyi's release would still be an important factor in that relationship.