Friday, 24 July 2009 17:43
Mizzima News
The special court in Insein prison at 5 p.m. (local time) concluded the day's hearing of final arguments in the trial against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
A lawyer who was waiting outside the prison told Mizzima he had seen Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers being escorted out of the prison in a car.
Supporters and members of the NLD, who were waiting outside the prison premises, have also dispersed.
The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 27.
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Officials keep close surveillance
Friday, 24 July 2009 14:36
Mizzima News
At least five officials in plainclothes are taking video footage and photos of supporters and members of the opposition party - National League for Democracy – gathering in front of Insein prison, where the trial of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi is coming to a conclusion.
“There are three people with video cameras and two others with photo cameras shooting people from Insein Bazaar. They [the plainclothes officials] are all equipped with communication devices,” a supporter, who is in front of the Insein prison, told Mizzima.
Meanwhile, the number of supporters and NLD members gathering in front of the prison has increased to about 150 from an initial figure of some 100.
An eyewitness also told Mizzima that six army trucks and two light trucks full of riot police in full uniform were seen heading towards downtown.
“I think they are going to patrol the city,” the eyewitness told Mizzima.
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Scores of supporters gather in front of Insein prison
Friday, 24 July 2009 13:50
Mizzima News
Authorities have beefed up security in front of Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison, as scores of supporters and members of the National League for Democracy have gathered to wait on the closing arguments of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.
Eyewitnesses said at least 10 trucks full of uniformed police are stationed near the prison, while on the corner of the street at least 2 prison vans are parked.
Police have blocked the road to Insein prison with barbed wire barricades.
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Diplomats allowed to attend Suu Kyi’s closing arguments
Friday, 24 July 2009 13:17
New Delhi (mizzima)– Burma's military government on Friday allowed foreign diplomats from Britain, Germany, France and Italy to attend the closing arguments in the trial against opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The trial against the Burmese pro-democracy leader, at a special court inside Rangoon’s Insein prison, has for the most part been a closed-door affair, with authorities only twice previously allowing selected diplomats and journalists to witness proceedings.
“This time they have not invited or even informed us, but they [the government] have granted permission to diplomats who have sought to attend the final hearing,” a journalist in Rangoon told Mizzima on Friday.
An official from the Embassy of the United States has also so far been permitted to attend proceedings against American John William Yettaw, who is standing trial at the court for secretly swimming across a lake and entering, uninvited, into Aung San Suu Kyi’s home.
A source in Rangoon told Mizzima, “As far as I have confirmed, diplomats from Britain, Germany, France and Italy have been allowed to attend the court session.”
On Friday, the court will hear closing arguments from both prosecution and defense lawyers. The defense team told Mizzima on Thursday that they have prepared a 23-page argument to be submitted to the court.
Observers, however, believe the court will fix yet another date to hand down a verdict.
A journalist in Rangoon said Friday’s court session has attracted the interest of several political observers and scores of supporters and members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, who have gathered in front of Insein prison.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
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