Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial Begins

Aung San Suu Kyi's Trial Begins

Press Release: Terry Evans

19 May 2009

Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing finished for the day. The next hearing begins tomorrow at 10am. Her lawyers were diverted from the usual route away from Insein prison by authorities due to the large number of crowds that have gathered over the course of the day.

Prior to the commencement of the hearing diplomats from Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Italy were denied entry to Insein prison. Member of Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party attempted to enter Insein prison, and were refused entry. A number of reporters were also denied entry to the prison.

Journalists outside Burma are finding it difficult to reach contacts on the ground inside Burma, while reporters in Rangoon say that many phone lines have been cut since Sunday.

Armed police have been deployed inside compounds of nearby monasteries and pagodas while about 20 riot police trucks were seen in the area surrounding the prison. All the roads surrounding Insein prison have been blocked with barbed wire and there is a heavy military presence in Rangoon.

ENDS

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