Fourth Day updates

From Mizzima-

Basic points: Closed court for the fifth day's hearings; Fifth day schedule released; Yettaw case opened and witnesses testimony aired; Swan Arshin state-backed paramilitaries recruited to intimidate on-lookers and supporters; Tensions are building between Swan Arshin and Aung San Suu Kyi supporters outside Insein prison.

Court fixes next hearing on May 22
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:47
The special court in Insein prison has fixed the next hearing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s case on May 22, the fifth continuous day since the trial began on Monday.Nyan Win, one of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's defense lawyer, said, Thursday’s court hearing was longer than usual as the court showed the video clip produced by the witness, which was found in the possession of John William Yettaw.In the video, Yettaw was heard explaining that he had arrived in Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house, but she had refused to allow him to take her picture and that he wants to go back to Thailand, Nyan Win told Mizzima.All together, four witnesses were produced on Thursday.

Testimonies of witnesses on Wednesday’s hearing
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:12
The state-run newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, on Thursday carried a report detailing the testimonies of witnesses during Wednesday’s court hearing in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial.On Wednesday morning Police Captain Sa Kyaw Win of the Special Investigation Department (Foreign Affairs Division) was the first witness to testify in court, the paper said.According to his testimony, he had conducted an investigation at the Beauty Land Hotel (2), where the American John William Yettaw had stayed, on May 6 at 1:5 a.m. (local time) and found a rucksack containing 61 items.

But after Yettaw told them that he had left three currency notes of USD 100 in the telephone directory in the room, he along with witnesses searched the hotel room for the second time and found three currency notes of USD 100, the newspaper said.On Wednesday afternoon, witness Police Captain Tin Zaw Tun, head of Bahan Township Police Force was examined. He testified that together with Nga-htet-kyi Ward (West) PDC of Bahan Township Zaw Tin and Kyaikkasan Ward PDC Khin Nyunt went to the residence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at 54/56 on University Avenue of Shwedaunggya Ward, Bahan Township at 7.20 am on May 7, with a search warrant issued by the judge of Bahan Township court, the newspaper said.He said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi admitted knowing John William Yettaw, when he showed her his photograph and also said Yettaw had arrived in her house on May 4 morning and left on May 5 evening.

The witness also said, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi showed him the things that Yettaw had left one by one and he listed them. Yettaw also left two black chadors usually worn by Muslim women, the newspaper added.

Swan Arrshin members hired for 3,000 kyat a day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Burmese military junta authorities are reportedly looking for more members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta group, and are hiring them for 20,000 kyat (USD 20) per day for security during the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.Swan Arrshin members are to be positioned at main junctions in Rangoon and the surroundings of Insein prison.

They are reportedly being paid 3,000 kyat (USD 3) per day in a normal situation but have been promised 20,000 kyat per day if there is any anti-government protest, which they will have to suppress.In some townships and quarters, the number of Swan Arrshin members remained short, forcing the authorities to offer them more.Though a number of armed uniformed policemen and soldiers are visible in Insein Township, the number is less in other townships of Rangoon.

In most crowded junctions, members of Swan Arrshin, plainclothes policemen and Military Affairs Security personnel are visible.During the September 2007 monk-led protests, sources said members of Swan Arrshin were hurriedly recruited and were given 3,000 Kyat, with free lunch and a packet of cigarettes as a bonus per person per day to be used in cracking down on protestors.

Aung San Suu Kyi late for court session
Thursday, 21 May 2009 14:00
Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday was reportedly brought to the court later than the scheduled time. It is still not clear why she arrived late. Meanwhile, near the Insein Bazaar, Central Committee member of the National League for Democracy Win Tin and party members gathered to demonstrate their support for party leader Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest against the trial.

In an interview with Mizzima, Win Tin said they are gathering near the Insein bazaar as a demonstration of their solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and in protest of her trial.Members of Swan Arrshin, a pro-junta civilian group, have increasingly become emboldened and were seen checking people with cameras and for journalistic identification.Main roads to Insein prison remained close on Thursday, but a small lane for by-passers and for vehicles was kept opened.Shops near the Insein prison reportedly saw a drastic drop in customers

Swan Arrshin members used for security in Insein
Thursday, 21 May 2009 13:20
Observers said, security forces have been drastically reduced around Insein prison, but members of the Swan Arrshin – a pro-junta civilian outfit – are seen increasingly around the area. They are being used by the authorities as informers to check on peoples’ movements.