Mizzima UPDATES Day 4 - 21 May 2009
Mizzima News D4
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.
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Interview with Ral Hnin, General Secretary of Chin National Council
Thursday, 21 May 2009 19:31
“The trial is a ploy to detain Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, because they are making up the case from nothing. It is not a legal law suit. They are making it up because they don’t want to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the end of this month. In my personal view, I think they will not release her.”
“In my opinion, I believe Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is really important for the unity of all ethnic nationalities in Burma.”
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Interview with Hkun Markoban (chairman of United Nationalities League for Democracy – Liberated Area), Member of Parliament elect- Phekon Township, Kayah state
Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:34
“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is like her father. She takes the issues of democracy and ethnicity seriously. And in return she is well respected by all ethnic nationalities and recognised as a true leader.”
“As ethnics, we call for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, and advocate dialogue and amendments of the junta-drafted constitution.”
“So, we want to call on our mother organisation inside Burma to oppose the junta’s constitution and the 2010 elections.”
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NLD youths demand an open court for Aung San Suu Kyi trial
Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:34
Members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Youth wing on Thursday called on the government to conduct the trial of party leader Aung San Suu Kyi in an open court, where the public can have access.
The NLD Youth (working group) made the demand in a statement, which also called on the government to allow international legal experts to observe the trial.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement released by the Humanitarian group of the Rangoon division NLD along with the Rangoon division NLD youths, said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is honourable and a person who is essential who cannot be excluded out of the process of national reconciliation and transition to democracy.
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Court adjourns for the day
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:18
Defence counsels of Aung San Suu Kyi at about 4:30 p.m. (local time) came out of Insein prison, where the Nobel Peace Laureate is being tried in a special court.
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Israel concerned over charges against Aung San Suu Kyi
Thursday, 21 May 2009 17:16
Israel on Wednesday said it is “deeply concerned” over the new charges against Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her transfer to Insein prison.
The Foreign Ministry of Israel, in a statement on May 20, called on the Burmese government to “release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately” and expressed hopes for the restoration of the democratic and national reconciliation process in the country.
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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.
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Interview with Hkun Okkar (Chairman of Pa-O Peoples Liberation Organisation)
Thursday, 21 May 2009 16:09
“The current trial of Daw Suu is not a legitimate trial. It is like creating a law suit out of nothing. And since the charges against her are not under a genuine law, we cannot say that she is charged under the law. So, she cannot be guilty of committing any crime and since it is not a charge under the law we cannot call it a case. It is clear that this a made-up case, so we demand that the case be immediately withdrawn and closed.”
“When we look at our country, we can see that there are various groups with different strengths. There is the military, which grabbed power in a coup, and also there are the ethnic armed groups, ceasefire armed groups, similarly there are also students, youths, monks, and civilians, who long for democracy.”
“The junta is unable to bring these diverse groups together. And nobody is able to do it. The only person that can bring all these groups together is Daw Suu. The participation of Daw Suu is essential to usher in national reconciliation.
“I think the junta may be coming up with some proposals before coming to a verdict on the case and before setting Daw Suu free. I think they might come up with something like – what will we gain by releasing Daw Suu. Will sanctions be withdrawn? Will 2008 constitution be recognised, and will the 2010 elections be endorsed etc? They might come up with a proposal.”
“And if the opposition continues saying that they reject the 2008 constitution, cannot endorse the 2010 election and will continue demanding sanctions, I think the junta will just continue detaining Daw Suu and go ahead with their plans.”
“So, it is crucial that we know how to deal with the regime in this three to four months time before they come out with a verdict.”
“They might deal with the ethnics, or with the international community, or with opposition groups inside the country. They might also do it with all groups.”
“And it also times with the junta’s offer to the ethnic armed groups on transforming their groups into militias controlled by the regime. The regime has told them to decide by August or September. And at that same time, the trail will reach a verdict. The junta has timed everything together and based on the results of all these, I think they will decide whether to continue detaining Daw Suu or to release her.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Aung San Suu Kyi's trial again behind closed-doors
Thursday, 21 May 2009 11:44
The fourth day of the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi will be again conducted behind closed doors.
Burmese junta authorities on Thursday did not invite any diplomat or journalist to attend the court hearing like it did yesterday.
