Mizzima's Updates 12:35pm
Roads blocked in Insein ahead of pro-democracy leader's trial
by Mizzima News
Foreign diplomats shows support to Aung San Suu Kyi
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:35
An European diplomat, who along with Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Australia tried to enter Insein prison, told Mizzima that they wanted to show support and solidarity for Aung San Suu Kyi but were barred from entering.
“I wanted to show my support to Aung San Suu Kyi and her lawyers and the ambassadors wanted to do so as well. I don’t think they would have allowed us inside the prison but we wanted to be outside the prison,” the diplomat, who wished not to be named, told Mizzima.
The diplomat said, “The general feeling is that we are disturbed about what is happening and what the consequences of the trial might be,” the diplomat said.
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Activists protest in Jakarta
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:34
Jakarta – At least 15 Indonesian activists on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta, calling on the Burmese junta to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, currently facing trial in Rangoon’s Insein prison court.
“We urge the Burmese regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma,” a protestor called Swan Paru, who is a member of the Indonesian Civil Society for solidarity for Burma, told Mizzima.
Demonstrators began protesting at 11 a.m (local time) and held aloft posters reading ‘Free Aung San Suu Kyi and Free Burma’. Paru said they called on the international community to take immediate action against the junta to release the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Activists around the world have dubbed Monday the “Global Day of Action’ for Burma and are set to hold protests in front of Burmese embassies across the world condemning the junta for the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Reporting by John Moe in Jakarta
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Youth distributing ribbons arrested
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:04
A youth member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) from Shwe Pyithar Township, who was distributing black ribbons near Insein bazaar was arrested by police on Monday morning.
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Foreign envoys barred from entering Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:02
Ambassadors and diplomats from the Rangoon-based British, French, German, Italian and Australian embassies have been barred from entering Insein prison, where a special court will conduct a trial against Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, reports said.
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Telephone lines cut-off
Monday, 18 May 2009 12:00
Rangoon-based journalists said several telephone lines have been cut-off since Sunday night, and outgoing calls can be made only from a few mobiles phones.
As roads to Insein prison remain closed, vehicles coming to Insein township are forced to make a detour from the Minglardon-Pyi Road.
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Belgium condemns Burmese junta
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:58
The Foreign Minister of Belgium Karel De Gucht has condemned Burma’s ruling military junta for putting pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial, joining the chorus from the international community in castigating the junta.
“Everything makes me think that the regime is looking for a reason to keep her in detention, and far from any elections process,” Mr De Gucht said in a statement on Friday.
“It is a compulsory condition to establish a process of National Reconciliation, which is necessary before the elections planned for 2010” the Minister said.
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Youths versus pro-junta group members
Monday, 18 May 2009 11:11
Despite road blockades several people gathered near the notorious Insein prison and about 30 youths were able to reach near the jail.
But about 50 members of the pro-junta civilian group, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), lay in wait for the youths. Reportedly internet connection in Rangoon was cut earlier this morning.
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Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers enter Insein prison
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:51
Aung San Suu Kyi’s defence counsels Kyi Win, Khin Htay Kywe and Hla Myo Myint were seen entering Insein prison at 8:30 a.m (local time).
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Yettaw should be sent to “mental hospital” : KNU
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:44
Instead of sending John William Yettaw, who intruded into Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence, to a mental hospital, the ruling junta is using him in its machinations to continue detaining the pro-democracy, an armed rebel group said.
In a statement on Sunday, the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed group, said the junta must understand that the action of Yettaw, who allegedly swam across Innya lake and broke into Suu Kyi’s home, clearly proves that he is insane and needs medical care. The regime shoul step up security around Aung San Suu Kyi’s house.
But the junta’s act of charging the pro-democracy leader and putting her on trial proves that the regime with vengeful and hate-ridden motives is plotting to further extend her detention beyond the 2010 elections that they are preparing to hold, the KNU said.
This also proves that the ruling junta “has no desire yet for national reconciliation, peace and justice,” the KNU said.
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Roads blocked in Insein ahead of pro-democracy leader's trial
Monday, 18 May 2009 10:34
Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.
Burmese military junta authorities have put in place tight security along the roads in Rangoon with armed soldiers blocking roads with barricades in a move not to allow crowds to gather ahead of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's trial on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said, red-ribboned special security forces are swarming everywhere on the main road in front of the notorious Insein jail and lanes nearby.
Besides, members of the pro-junta civilian groups – Swan Arrshin – are also seen standing by in light-trucks, ready to act at the slightest indication that may indicate that people are gathering.
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