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| Closing arguments in Burma trial | Closing arguments in Burma trial |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The prosecution in the military government's trial of the Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is to deliver its closing arguments. | The prosecution in the military government's trial of the Burmese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is to deliver its closing arguments. |
| Ms Suu Kyi faces five years in prison if she is convicted of having violated her house arrest when an American man swam to her lakeside home uninvited. | |
| Her lawyers - who delivered their final statement on Friday - say they expect a verdict in two to three weeks. | Her lawyers - who delivered their final statement on Friday - say they expect a verdict in two to three weeks. |
| Unusually, diplomats have been allowed into the court for this session. | Unusually, diplomats have been allowed into the court for this session. |
| Lawyers read closing arguments for the other defendants, two of Ms Suu Kyi's housemaids and John Yettaw, the American intruder. | Lawyers read closing arguments for the other defendants, two of Ms Suu Kyi's housemaids and John Yettaw, the American intruder. |
| The prosecution may wrap up its case against Suu Kyi later on Monday, court officials said. | The prosecution may wrap up its case against Suu Kyi later on Monday, court officials said. |
| Poll ploy? | Poll ploy? |
| A verdict is not expected yet, however. | A verdict is not expected yet, however. |
| "I expect all the arguments will be made today but I think the verdict might take as long as two or three weeks," said Ms Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win. | "I expect all the arguments will be made today but I think the verdict might take as long as two or three weeks," said Ms Suu Kyi's lawyer, Nyan Win. |
| Timeline: Aung San Suu Kyi trial | Timeline: Aung San Suu Kyi trial |
| The trial has been held mostly behind closed doors, but diplomats from the United States, Singapore, Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia were allowed to attend the session, one of the diplomats told reporters. | The trial has been held mostly behind closed doors, but diplomats from the United States, Singapore, Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia were allowed to attend the session, one of the diplomats told reporters. |
| Hundreds of NLD members and supporters of Ms Suu Kyi rallied outside Insein Prison where she has been held since May. About 10 truckloads of security personnel were seen in the area. | Hundreds of NLD members and supporters of Ms Suu Kyi rallied outside Insein Prison where she has been held since May. About 10 truckloads of security personnel were seen in the area. |
| Ms Suu Kyi, 64, has spent nearly 14 of the last 20 years in detention, much of it at her Rangoon home. | Ms Suu Kyi, 64, has spent nearly 14 of the last 20 years in detention, much of it at her Rangoon home. |
| Polls are planned by the military government for some time next year. Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won the last elections in 1988 but was never allowed to take power. | Polls are planned by the military government for some time next year. Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won the last elections in 1988 but was never allowed to take power. |
| The trial, which had been expected to wrap up in days when it started, has dragged on for more than two months. | The trial, which had been expected to wrap up in days when it started, has dragged on for more than two months. |
| Prosecutors argue that Aung San Suu Kyi must be held responsible for the midnight swim to her home by the American well-wisher, John Yettaw, in early May. | Prosecutors argue that Aung San Suu Kyi must be held responsible for the midnight swim to her home by the American well-wisher, John Yettaw, in early May. |
| Her lawyers have argued that the law she has been charged under is part of a constitution abolished 25 years ago. | Her lawyers have argued that the law she has been charged under is part of a constitution abolished 25 years ago. |
| In any case, they say, she cannot be responsible for the incident as she was living under tightly-guarded house arrest at the time. | In any case, they say, she cannot be responsible for the incident as she was living under tightly-guarded house arrest at the time. |
| BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says the fact that some defence witnesses and foreign observers have been allowed shows that the government belatedly recognised the anger stirred up around the world by trying Ms Suu Kyi on such bizarre charges. | BBC South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says the fact that some defence witnesses and foreign observers have been allowed shows that the government belatedly recognised the anger stirred up around the world by trying Ms Suu Kyi on such bizarre charges. |
| But, our correspondent adds, 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 next year's election. | But, our correspondent adds, 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 next year's election. |
| Riot police have closely guarded the courtroom in a Rangoon prison | Riot police have closely guarded the courtroom in a Rangoon prison |