Detailed breakdown of the trial so far, from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma:-
TRIAL OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Compiled by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Court: Special Court inside Insein Prison
Judges: U Thaung Nyunt (Northern District - Rangoon)
U Nyi Nyi Soe (Western District - Rangoon)
Plaintiff: Special Branch Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, two others
Defendants: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Khin Khin Win
Daw Win Ma Ma
John William Yettaw
18 May Update
The Judges
A two-judge Special Court began hearing charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in companions and National League for Democracy (NLD) members -- Daw Khin Khin Win and daughter Daw Win Ma Ma -- at 1000 on 18 May.
The two judges -- U Thaung Nyunt and U Nyi Nyi Soe from the Northern and Western Districts of Rangoon -- are known for handing down harsh prison sentences on leading members of the 88 Generation Students group like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya when they were tried separately.
Charges & Defense Team
Defending the Nobel Peace Laureate were Advocates U Kyi Win, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win while the two companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were represented by Advocates Daw Khin Htay Kywe, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win. The defense team submitted legal documents to the court.
Acting as the plaintiff, Police Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung of the Special Branch of Police filed the law suits under Article 22 of the State Protection Law or "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" against all three defendants.
The prosecution will be presenting 22 witnesses, most of whom will be police and public service personnel and the defense plans to cross question them.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was charged because she received and served meals to US Citizen John William Yettaw, an uninvited visitor who swam across Inya Lake to sneak into her home on 3 May 2009.
Article 22 states that "Any person against whom action is taken, who opposes, resists or disobeys any order passed under this Law shall be liable to imprisonment for a period of up to three years, or a fine of up to five thousand kyats, or to both."
Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma face additional charges under Article 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the commitment of a criminal offense.
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
Closed-Door Session
During the hearing, diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy, journalists, and NLD members led by Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin tried to gain access to the court but their requests were denied.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions are currently being detained at, what is described as a guesthouse facility inside the Insein Prison compound.
American 'Swimmer'
US citizen John William Yettaw, whose antics provided the Burmese generals a golden opportunity to persecute Daw Aung San Suu Kyi days before the order to keep her under house arrest was about to expire, also appeared in court on 18 May to face charges.
Criminal charges filed against him are: Article 22 of the State Protection Law, Article 109 of the Penal Code, Section 13(1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and Section 28 of Rangoon City Development Committee Law for swimming in an area prohibited under the committee's Water Supply and Sanitation Rules (40).
John Yettaw was represented by Higher Grade Pleader U Khin Maung Oo.
A US Embassy official was present as an observer at the court hearing.
The state-run press said prior to his intrusion into the Nobel Laureate's residence on the night of 3 May 2009, John Yettaw also made another unauthorized visit to that home on 30 November 2008 when he also swam across Inya Lake. He met with the companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and left a book -- "Book of Mormon" -- before departing.
The court proceedings ended around 1530 on 18 May.
Scene Outside Insein Prison
TRIAL OF DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Compiled by the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
Court: Special Court inside Insein Prison
Judges: U Thaung Nyunt (Northern District - Rangoon)
U Nyi Nyi Soe (Western District - Rangoon)
Plaintiff: Special Branch Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, two others
Defendants: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Daw Khin Khin Win
Daw Win Ma Ma
John William Yettaw
18 May Update
The Judges
A two-judge Special Court began hearing charges against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, her two live-in companions and National League for Democracy (NLD) members -- Daw Khin Khin Win and daughter Daw Win Ma Ma -- at 1000 on 18 May.
The two judges -- U Thaung Nyunt and U Nyi Nyi Soe from the Northern and Western Districts of Rangoon -- are known for handing down harsh prison sentences on leading members of the 88 Generation Students group like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya when they were tried separately.
Charges & Defense Team
Defending the Nobel Peace Laureate were Advocates U Kyi Win, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win while the two companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were represented by Advocates Daw Khin Htay Kywe, U Hla Myo Myint, and U Nyan Win. The defense team submitted legal documents to the court.
Acting as the plaintiff, Police Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung of the Special Branch of Police filed the law suits under Article 22 of the State Protection Law or "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" against all three defendants.
The prosecution will be presenting 22 witnesses, most of whom will be police and public service personnel and the defense plans to cross question them.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was charged because she received and served meals to US Citizen John William Yettaw, an uninvited visitor who swam across Inya Lake to sneak into her home on 3 May 2009.
Article 22 states that "Any person against whom action is taken, who opposes, resists or disobeys any order passed under this Law shall be liable to imprisonment for a period of up to three years, or a fine of up to five thousand kyats, or to both."
Daw Khin Khin Win and Ma Win Ma Ma face additional charges under Article 109 of the Penal Code for abetting the commitment of a criminal offense.
May 19, 2009 (DVB)–The first witness called in the prosecution of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday acknowledged that she had not violated a condition under which she is forbidden to make contact with an external political body.
Speaking to DVB, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Kyi Win, said that the first day of the trial yesterday against the Burmese opposition leader had heard a statement from prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Min Aung.
Closed-Door Session
During the hearing, diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy, journalists, and NLD members led by Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin tried to gain access to the court but their requests were denied.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions are currently being detained at, what is described as a guesthouse facility inside the Insein Prison compound.
American 'Swimmer'
US citizen John William Yettaw, whose antics provided the Burmese generals a golden opportunity to persecute Daw Aung San Suu Kyi days before the order to keep her under house arrest was about to expire, also appeared in court on 18 May to face charges.
Criminal charges filed against him are: Article 22 of the State Protection Law, Article 109 of the Penal Code, Section 13(1) of the Immigration Act (Emergency Provisions) and Section 28 of Rangoon City Development Committee Law for swimming in an area prohibited under the committee's Water Supply and Sanitation Rules (40).
John Yettaw was represented by Higher Grade Pleader U Khin Maung Oo.
A US Embassy official was present as an observer at the court hearing.
The state-run press said prior to his intrusion into the Nobel Laureate's residence on the night of 3 May 2009, John Yettaw also made another unauthorized visit to that home on 30 November 2008 when he also swam across Inya Lake. He met with the companions of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and left a book -- "Book of Mormon" -- before departing.
The court proceedings ended around 1530 on 18 May.
Scene Outside Insein Prison
Security around Insein Prison was tightened a day before the court hearing began on 18 May. Insein Road around the prison was closed off to traffic; barricades and barbed wire fencing were set up at strategic places and manned by the riot police and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the Fire Brigade, and the Swann Arr Shin groups.
Armed police were seen deployed inside nearby monasteries and temples.
Cellular phones inside the country became very difficult to access for people overseas, and landline phones were also off in many areas.
Police and municipal authorities closed down the market near Insein Prison at 1100 on 18 May and many food stalls, teashops, and others were ordered to close also.
Family visits for prisoners in Insein Prison were also prohibited by authorities.
NLD Youth, Members
Hundreds of NLD youth and adult members gathered outside the prison. They tried to get inside the court but were refused entry. Some youths were seen wearing black ribbons on their chests.
A few NLD Youth members, including Htwe Thein, were taken away from near Insein Prison and released later.
Armed police were seen deployed inside nearby monasteries and temples.
Cellular phones inside the country became very difficult to access for people overseas, and landline phones were also off in many areas.
Police and municipal authorities closed down the market near Insein Prison at 1100 on 18 May and many food stalls, teashops, and others were ordered to close also.
Family visits for prisoners in Insein Prison were also prohibited by authorities.
NLD Youth, Members
Hundreds of NLD youth and adult members gathered outside the prison. They tried to get inside the court but were refused entry. Some youths were seen wearing black ribbons on their chests.
A few NLD Youth members, including Htwe Thein, were taken away from near Insein Prison and released later.
(Black ribbons worn by young supporters. They were later taken off because security personnel could identify them by the ribbons)
Good Wishes From the Leader
On his return from the Special Court inside Insein Prison, Lawyer U Nyan Win, who is also the member of the NLD Information Committee, said at the NLD headquarters that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted people to know that she was fine and that she sent her good wishes so that others are in good health also.
19 May Update
Trial To End 'Next Week'?
The trial resumed with unexpected haste today surprising even the lawyers representing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her companions.
Judging by the pace of the trial yesterday, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer U Kyi Win said he expected the trial to last about three months. But, the trial picked up speed so much so that U Nyan Win, one of the members of the defense team and spokesperson for the National League for Democracy (NLD) was quoted today as saying, "I can definitely say the government is speeding up the case to finish quickly."
He now expects it to end "by next week".
The prosecution had produced a list of 22 witnesses and five appeared in court today.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is not expected to testify until the prosecution rests.
U Kyi Win said the restriction order against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi prohibited her from meeting diplomats and people with links to political institutions. The plaintiff, Police Lt Col Zaw Min Aung, conceded that she did not violate those restrictions during cross examination.
Furthermore, U Kyi Win said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not had any phone contact with the outside world since her phone lines had been severed.
The police colonel did not give a definitive answer to that apparently to avoid admitting her phone lines had been cut.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had asked John Yettaw "to leave at once" but later fed him and allowed him to sleep on the ground floor of her house only because he complained about muscle cramps. A traditional gesture that makes Burmese "even to feed a stray dog that shows up at your door", said U Kyi Win.
The lawyer's request for a public court hearing was again rejected today.
Tighter Security
Security was tighter today. The barricades remain and more security personnel, in uniform and mufti, are seen around Insein Prison. No cars are allowed to go near the prison.
Security personnel are seen to be bolder in confronting the supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi milling around the prison. Some people in mufti were seen photographing people near the prison gate.
When Central Executive Committee Member U Win Tin arrived around 1240, a group armed police approached the place where he and his supporters were sitting, scaring away some spectators. U Win Tin stood his ground and the riot police went away.
U Win Tin and a group of supporters were later made to move away from a place they were sitting.
Well-known activist Naw Ohn Hla who is leading NLD members in a prayer campaign for the release of all political prisoners was also seen at the scene.
A police car was seen driving back and forth close to the NLD youths. Police are seen making people move away from the barricades
Shops and stalls which were ordered to close reopened today with no interference from the authorities.
News sources: freelancers inside the country, www.dvb.no , www.mizzima.com , www.irrawaddy.org , and various Burmese language blogs
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