Trial of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi extended

(July 25, 2009) Myanmar's military regime, adjourning pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial until Monday, gave no indication it will heed calls this week by the United States and Asian countries to free the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Suu Kyi, 64, is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest by harbouring an uninvited American man who swam to her lakeside home and stayed for two days. She faces up to five years in prison. Suu Kyi's lawyer said she was «deeply dissatisfied» with Friday's court session because it gave the prosecution more time to prepare its case. Western diplomats in Yangon generally believe that Suu Kyi will be found guilty, with the verdict expected sometime next month. The resumption of the trial Friday came after U.S., European and Asian officials _ including Myanmar's top diplomat _ wound up a regional security conference in neighbouring Thailand at which Myanmar's human rights record was in the spotlight. Most agreed that Myanmar's ruling junta should be urged to release Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered Myanmar the prospect of better relations with the United States, but said that depended in part on the fate of Suu Kyi. Myanmar state media rejected the criticism, accusing those calling for Suu Kyi's release of «interference.» The newspaper also accused the United Nations of interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs, citing U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's repeated urging that Suu Kyi be freed.