Suu Kyi's Trial Continues

The trial of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi continues into its second day today. Security remains tight outside Rangoon's Insein Prison. Meanwhile, exiled Burmese activities in Thailand held a rally demanding international intervention.

While the closed-door trial continued inside Rangoon's Insein Prison, police were seen hovering outside with barricades set up to stop anyone going near the prison. So far the court heard from the first of 22 prosecution witnesses. Suu Kyi's lawyer said his client could not testify until the prosecution rests and the trial could last for three months. Suu Kyi, whose latest detention began in May 2003, is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest after an American intruder spent two days in her home this month. If convicted, Suu Kyi could face up to five years in jail. She has denied the charges. Critics say the charges are aimed at keeping the Nobel Peace laureate in detention until after elections in 2010. In Thailand, along the Thai-Burmese border of Mae Sot township, about 300 exiled Burmese activists held a candlelight vigil demanding the US and international community to take tougher measures against Burma's military junta. They also carried Suu Kyi's pictures and demanded the release of all political prisoners in Burma. [Maung Muang Gyi, Exiled Burmese Activist]: "So Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is one of our leaders, and also we would like to argue that the U.S. government put the pressure on the U.N. Security Council, to intervene on behalf of Aung San Suu Kyi. And all political prisoners must be freed. There are many victims of the human rights abuses in Burma." The European Union threatened tougher sanctions against the regime on Monday, four days after the US renewed its measures against the military regime. Burma's Southeast Asian neighbors have expressed "grave concern" at the trial of the democracy icon, but the chair of their regional group, Thailand, ruled out sanctions.

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[socialissues2009]

LET HER FREE! I don't know her well, but as far as I can judge, I am sure, she did not nothing wrong. Perhaps, all she did was just speaking the truth about her country.