Suu Kyi to face charges related to ‘swimmer’

(DVB)–Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been ordered to appear in court this morning to face charges related to the US citizen who broke into her compound last week.

The imprisoned opposition leader met with her lawyer yesterday afternoon at 4pm to discuss the unsuccessful appeal for her release, and the incident involving US citizen John William Yettaw.

Suu Kyi later asked lawyer Kyi Win to return to her compound, where she has been under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years, and told him she had been ordered to appear in Rangoon’s Insein prison court at nine o’clock this morning.

According to Kyi Win, authorities deem the incident involving John William Yettaw, who was arrested last Wednesday after swimming across Inya Lake from Suu Kyi’s compound, to be a breach of her house arrest conditions.

Speaking to DVB, Kyi Win said that Suu Kyi hadn’t invited the man to her compound and therefore was not in breach of her conditions, under which she cannot invite visitors.

“Daw Suu told him to go back, but he didn’t,” said Kyi Win.

“He said he was so tired and wanted to rest, but she pleaded with him. Then he slept overnight on the ground floor.”

Suu Kyi’s caretaker Khin Khin Win, and his half-daughter, will also attend court, along with Kyi Win, lawyer Nyan Win, and another man, Hla Myo Myint.

The National League for Democracy leader’s current internment under house arrest is in its sixth year.

Her release date, as stated by the Burmese government, is due for 27 May.

Kyi Win also said that her health was improving following reports that she had been suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure.

“She looks OK,” he said.

“She has a very strong spirit.”

Reporting by Htet Aung Kyaw