Police chief: Burma planned to release Suu Kyi

A police chief said today that Burma had been considering releasing pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest this week, but cancelled the decision after an American swam to her house.

Brig Gen Myint Thein said authorities were talking of releasing her tomorrow after nearly six years under house arrest on “humanitarian grounds and because she is the daughter of the country’s founder Aung San”.

But earlier this month, Ms Suu Kyi was arrested for allegedly breaking the conditions of her house arrest by sheltering John Yettaw, who turned up at her home uninvited.

Nobel Peace laureate Ms Suu Kyi (aged 63) was due to give evidence at her trial today after prosecutors withdrew nine remaining witnesses, suggesting that the military government wanted to wrap up the trial.

Nyan Win, one of Ms Suu Kyi’s lawyers, said yesterday her defence team was unhappy that it was not given sufficient time to consult their client about her planned testimony.

Ms Suu Kyi is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harbouring Mr Yettaw, who swam across a lake to her residence, though her lawyers say she did not invite the man and asked him to leave. She faces up to five years in prison.

She pleaded not guilty on Friday, but Burma’s courts operate under the influence of the ruling military and almost always deal harshly with political dissidents. Mr Yettaw, 53, and two women assistants who live with her, also pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

Asked if he thought the court was rushing through the trial, Mr Nyan Win said: “It is very certain.”

Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighbouring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of South-east Nations, or ASEAN, accusing its neighbour of violating the bloc’s principle by interfering in Burma’s internal affairs.

Thailand, the grouping’s current chairman, last week expressed “grave concern” over the trial, saying “the honour and the credibility of the (Burma government) are at stake”.

The charges against Ms Suu Kyi are widely seen as a pretext for the government to keep her detained during an election it has scheduled for next year as the culmination of a “road map to democracy”, which has been criticised as a fig leaf for continued military rule.

Ms Suu Kyi told them the incident occurred because of a security breach – the house is tightly guarded – so the responsibility for allowing Mr Yettaw in lay with the security forces.

Mr Yettaw, from Falcon, Missouri, said he had a dream that Ms Suu Kyi would be assassinated and came to warn her that her life was in danger.

Officials said 10 to 15 journalists would be allowed to observe today’s court session in Rangoon.

The trial comes weeks after the European Union announced it was stepping up humanitarian aid to Burma and the US said it was reviewing its policy - including speculation that it might soften sanctions the regime says have crippled its economy.

But now the EU is talking of introducing tougher sanctions in response to the trial and the administration of US president Barack Obama has announced it will continue its economic penalties.