Monday, 18 May 2009 16:45 - BST
The court in Insein Prison has adjourned for the day and fixed the next date of hearing concerning Aung San Suu Kyi’s case for Tuesday, May 19.
The hearing on Monday, which began at 10 a.m. (local time), previously broke at noon for lunch, before the justice adjourned the court for the day at about 3 p.m. (local time).
After returning from court, Nyan Win, NLD spokesperson, held a press conference at party headquarters and stated that Aung San Suu Kyi remains in good health.
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Court refuses public presence during trial
Monday, 18 May 2009 06:24
A special court in Insein prison on Monday has rejected the appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers to allow public presence at the trial.
Nyan Win, the NLD spokesperson, who was present during the court hearing on Monday, told Mizzima, “We had submitted an appeal to the court to allow public presence at the trial, but the court rejected it.”
He said, the prosecution on Monday produced a witness and defence counsels were allowed to cross examine the witness. But he refused to elaborate on the case saying “it is still too early to comment on the case.”
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EU eyes new sanctions for junta
Monday, 18 May 2009 04:39
Foreign Ministers of the European Union on Monday called for fresh sanctions against Burma and urged regional countries, including China, to put pressure on the country's regime to release pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
The EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held in Brussels even as Burma's pro-democracy icon’s trial began in Rangoon’s Insein prison, for allegedly breaking the terms of her house arrest.
"We are ready to discuss the reinforcement of sanctions," Czech Foreign Minister, Jan Kohout, whose country currently holds the EU rotating presidency, was quoted as saying by the DPA.
However, initially there "will be a call on the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi," Kohout added.
In April, the EU extended economic sanctions for another year, targeting 500 military officers and their relatives and imposed sanctions on about 80 businessmen, who were collaborating with the junta.
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Nyan Win along with defence counsels come out of Insein
Monday, 18 May 2009 03:11
Military junta authorities have driven out Nyan Win, spokesperson of the NLD, along with Aung San Suu Kyi’s defence counsels Khin Htay Kywe and HlaMyo Myint from Insein prison in a police vehicle which headed downtown, eyewitnesses said.
The crowd, which had gathered near Insein prison, has also begun to disperse slowly, eyewitnesses said.
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Situation in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 01:52
According to the latest information received from Rangoon, several police personnel, members of Swan Arrshin and the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) continue to remain around Insein prison.
“So far nothing new has happened. Not even a fly is allowed to enter Insein prison. No one can enter. I don’t know what is happening in other parts of the town as I have been here in Insein prison since this morning,” a youth, who is monitoring the situation, told Mizzima.
“People are still waiting and slowly the number of people is swelling because many have joined in. But everyone is still waiting and there is no sign of any action anywhere,” he said.
“Journalists have also arrived. But they are also ignorant of what is going on like us. Because they can only ask questions at the press conferences, and no one here is allowed to ask anything,’ he added.
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Interview with Daw Myint Myint Aye, Secretary of NLD Meikhtila branch
Monday, 18 May 2009 01:50
“Whatever the ruling junta is doing with the courts and their law is what they think fit. But the NLD views that Kyi Win, as a lawyer, is fighting back legally on the injustice being done. They do whatever they want to and we follow blindly. It is total injustice. And we dare not place hopes on the legal system. We don’t have anything to believe in.”
“As for Aunty [Aung San Suu Kyi] she has put forward a very mild and gentle way of solving Burma’s political deadlock just as we said in the ‘Shwegondine Declaration’. I don’t think the regime should do this kind of injustice to her. She has been illegally detained and on top of that she is being charged. But the junta does not have any moral right to do so. They will continue their injustice and will try to justify it. And for us instead of telling the world that whatever they are doing is wrong, we believe it is good to fight back legally in the court.”
“At this point of time we are thinking of how best we can lead the people and we do not want our youths to be arrested. So, we are thinking and we are really encouraged by the actions of our central committee. But even if they remain silent, the people will react because people really look forward to Aung San Suu Kyi’s release.”
“And without the participation of the NLD, the 2010 election it will not be legitimate and will not be recognised by the international community. But the junta is determined to continue with its election plans with or without the participation of the NLD, with ethnics groups.”
“But if the junta chooses to go ahead without the NLD, there will be no stability and there will be a people’s outburst. And at that time, we want the NLD to be able to lead the people peacefully.”
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Activists protest outside Burmese Embassy in New Delhi
Monday, 18 May 2009 01:40
At least 15 Burmese activists on Monday staged a brief protest in front of the Burmese Embassy in New Delhi, demanding the release of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We came here to protest against the Burmese military regime which has built up a case to continue detaining Aung San Suu Kyi,” Win Min, a protester told Mizzima.
The protesters, who arrived outside the embassy at 7:30 a.m (local time), sprayed the walls of the embassy with words ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi! Free Burma.’
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Interview with Nyo Ohn Myint, in-charge of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National League for Democracy – Liberated Area (NLD-LA) in exile.
Monday, 18 May 2009 01:35
“As far as I have heard, British diplomats tried to enter Insein prison but they were not allowed. Outside the prison, there are about 3000 people but we are not sure. What is certain is that NLD youths and members are angry. So, the situation is tense. The junta wants to conclude the trial as soon as possible. That means they will sentence and imprison her.”
“So, the tension between both sides is increasing. Currently, the junta is blocking roads. And the people want to know more. And given the situation, there are groups, who want to start protesting.”
“As for Dr. Tin Myo Win, we heard that he was released on health grounds. But he is not involved in politics.”
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Foreign diplomats shows support to Aung San Suu Kyi
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:35
An European diplomat, who along with Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Australia tried to enter Insein prison, told Mizzima that they wanted to show support and solidarity for Aung San Suu Kyi but were barred from entering.
“I wanted to show my support to Aung San Suu Kyi and her lawyers and the ambassadors wanted to do so as well. I don’t think they would have allowed us inside the prison but we wanted to be outside the prison,” the diplomat, who wished not to be named, told Mizzima.
The diplomat said, “The general feeling is that we are disturbed about what is happening and what the consequences of the trial might be,” the diplomat said.
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Activists protest in Jakarta
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:34
Jakarta – At least 15 Indonesian activists on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta, calling on the Burmese junta to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, currently facing trial in Rangoon’s Insein prison court.
“We urge the Burmese regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma,” a protestor called Swan Paru, who is a member of the Indonesian Civil Society for solidarity for Burma, told Mizzima.
Demonstrators began protesting at 11 a.m (local time) and held aloft posters reading ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi and Free Burma’. Paru said they called on the international community to take immediate action against the junta to release the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Activists around the world have dubbed Monday the “Global Day of Action’ for Burma and are set to hold protests in front of Burmese embassies across the world condemning the junta for the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Reporting by John Moe in Jakarta
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Youth distributing ribbons arrested
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:04
A youth member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) from Shwe Pyithar Township, who was distributing black ribbons near Insein bazaar was arrested by police on Monday morning.
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Foreign envoys barred from entering Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:02
Ambassadors and diplomats from the Rangoon-based British, French, German, Italian and Australian embassies have been barred from entering Insein prison, where a special court will conduct a trial against Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, reports said.
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Telephone lines cut-off
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:00
Rangoon-based journalists said several telephone lines have been cut-off since Sunday night, and outgoing calls can be made only from a few mobiles phones.
As roads to Insein prison remain closed, vehicles coming to Insein township are forced to make a detour from the Minglardon-Pyi Road.
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Belgium condemns Burmese junta
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:58
The Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel De Gucht has condemned Burma’s ruling military junta for putting pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial, joining the chorus from the international community in castigating the junta.
“Everything makes me think that the regime is looking for a reason to keep her in detention, and far from any elections process,” Mr De Gucht said in a statement on Friday.
“It is a compulsory condition to establish a process of National Reconciliation, which is necessary before the elections planned for 2010” the Minister said.
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Youths versus pro-junta group members
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:11
Despite road blockades several people gathered near the notorious Insein prison and about 30 youths were able to reach near the jail.
But about 50 members of the pro-junta civilian group, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), lay in wait for the youths. Reportedly internet connection in Rangoon was cut earlier this morning.
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Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers enter Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:51
Aung San Suu Kyi’s defence counsels Kyi Win, Khin Htay Kywe and Hla Myo Myint were seen entering Insein prison at 8:30 a.m (local time).
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Yettaw should be sent to “mental hospital” : KNU
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:44
Instead of sending John William Yettaw, who intruded into Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence, to a mental hospital, the ruling junta is using him in its machinations to continue detaining the pro-democracy, an armed rebel group said.
In a statement on Sunday, the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group, said the junta must understand that the action of Yettaw, who allegedly swam across Innya lake and broke into Suu Kyi’s home, clearly proves that he is insane and needs medical care. The regime shoul step up security around Aung San Suu Kyi’s house.
But the junta’s act of charging the pro-democracy leader and putting her on trial proves that the regime with vengeful and hate-ridden motives is plotting to further extend her detention beyond the 2010 elections that they are preparing to hold, the KNU said.
This also proves that the ruling junta “has no desire yet for national reconciliation, peace and justice,” the KNU said.
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Roads blocked in Insein ahead of pro-democracy leader's trial
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:34
Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.
Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said, red-ribboned special security forces are swarming everywhere on the main road in front of the notorious Insein jail and lanes nearby.
Besides, members of the pro-junta civilian groups – Swan Arrshin – are also seen standing by in light-trucks, ready to act at the slightest indication that may indicate that people are gathering.
Monday, May 18, 2009
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