Suu Kyi's doctor reportedly facing charges

(DVB)–The health of imprisoned Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is said to be improving following news of illness, although unconfirmed reports claim her doctor faces charges under the Emergency Act.

Last week, the leader of opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD) was reported to be suffering from dehydration and low blood pressure, and had not eaten for four to five days.

The spokesperson for the NLD said today that her health had improved, although more attention needed to be given to Suu Kyi’s medical condition.

“Her health is improving and there is nothing to worry much at the moment but Dr Pyone Mo Ei said the medical assistance needs to be continued,” said Nyan Win.

The NLD’s leader has been under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years, and is in the sixth year of her current internment.

Last Wednesday news surfaced of the arrest of a US citizen, John William Yettaw, who allegedly swam across Rangoon’s Lake Inya and entered Suu Kyi’s compound, where he spent two nights.

The following day, Suu Kyi’s doctor, Tin Myo Win, was refused entry to her compound, where he is allowed to visit once a month, and was arrested.

His assistant, Dr Pyone Mo Ei, had been allowed to treat her up to yesterday, and had administered an intravenous drip.

Tin Myo Win is now reportedly in court facing unspecified charges under the Emergency Act, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years, although no-one can confirm the reasons for his arrest.

“We also heard about [the charges] but it’s not confirmed, and we have not had any updated information regarding Dr Tin Myo Win,” said Nyan Win.

Rumours have circulated wildly about the sequence of events surrounding Suu Kyi, with some Burmese observers suggesting there may be a link between the arrest of the doctor, and the break-in by the US citizen.

Little official information has been given about either incident, however.

Reporting by Aye Nai