Defense lawyers for Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
have presented their final arguments, in an effort to save the Nobel
laureate from a possible five-year prison term.
Her trial inside
the high-security Insein prison in Rangoon resumed Friday, after weeks
of delays and amid fierce international condemnation. Diplomats from
Britain, France, Germany and Italy were allowed to attend Friday's
proceedings.
Prosecutors are scheduled to make their final arguments Monday. The verdict is expected sometime next month.
Burma's
military leaders have accused the 64-year-old pro-democracy leader of
violating the terms of her house arrest. Those charges stem from a
visit by an uninvited intruder who swam to her lakeside home in early
May and was allowed to stay overnight.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi's
defense has argued that the security guards around her compound are
responsible for the intrusion of American John Yettaw. Her lawyers
also argue that the prosecution charges are illegal because they were
filed under a constitution that was abolished two decades ago.
U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Burma earlier this month to
appeal for her release and her participation in next year's elections.
He was not permitted to meet with her.
The U.S. Senate voted
Thursday to renew a ban on imports from Burma, citing oppression by the
ruling military and the trial of Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Republican Senator
Mitch McConnell also criticized the military for preventing Ban Ki-moon
from visiting Aung San Suu Kyi during his recent visit. The House of
Representatives already has approved renewing the ban.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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